The Daily Balance 3.2.11- The Relationships the Thing

The Daily Balance can quickly become imbalance if there is more going out than coming in. One of the things that I have learned to do, and force myself to do is to start off the day listening to Biblical content. While doing this I have made the coffee, kissed my wife good morning, taken the dog out and feeding her the morning kibbles! Then I wake the kids and do whatever other chores I need to get done. The daily balance goes beyond looking at the financials first thing. I know you read that Howard Shultz checks the daily receipts of Starbucks early in the morning. My Pastor likes to say that starting off with 3 Bible Chapters, singing two worship songs and writing down two things God is saying to you as you go into prayer for the oncoming day, is a good formula. But it goes beyond formula, habit and discipline, it points to a purposeful relational lifestyle.

Fuel to the Fire

I have modified the trip a few times based on schedule changes. Being in the ministry of leadership and communication, balance is important, but so are deadlines. The best thing about deadlines is that the leader sets the deadlines. If devotion costs 20 -30 minutes at the beginning of our day- so what? If my attitude is that I can't start my work without it, then everything else can wait. Then the best thing about being in ministry is that I believe I can't minister effectively without first getting fed by God's word. Here's a twist- I find the Daily Audio Bible with Brian Hardin from Nashville. He reads to me, I provide the music and lyrics to the two songs and we sing new songs to the Lord. Then we deal with the business God has for us with our day. If you want fuel to your fire, study what Jesus did. Every time He was about to dispense healing, he was alone in prayer, conversing with his Father in Heaven. "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:15) This was the verse that precedes his healing of the paralytic. Check out the verses prior to almost any miracle or healing occurs and you will see some reference to Jesus going to His Father right before a big event.

Daily Balance

As a writer and speaker and minister, the balance of my life has to be grounded and then uplifted. I am thankful for technology and that God has moved people like Brian Hardin to distribute the Daily Audio Bible. Yes, I check the business and personal balances early in my day to make sure that we on track financially. We pay our bills, and we fill up the gas tank too. Yes, we build relationships and are advocates to the least of these. I try to make sure to make investments into the lives of the people I love, my family, my extended family, my neighbors, my clients, my vendors and my friends. I try to find time to exercise, do good work, and to do the things that matter. Yes, there are barn cleaning jobs, every life has them. We acknowledge our demons and realize that God isn't the one that trips us up with our human and evil desires. Part of the daily balance is and has to be self-control. How about with you? If you need prayer, or are struggling, or you just want to comment, leave a comment here, or e-mail me at RJBeattie@ancientpathsefree.com.