A Balanced Life

When you hear the word “balance” what do you think of? Do you think of standing on one foot and trying not to fall? Do you think of the balance beam in women’s Olympic gymnastics?

Suppose we talk about a “balanced” life. Do you think that it is a good goal to balance your life in some way? If so, what kind of balance do you think is good? Or if you don’t think balance is a good goal, why not? What would be a different goal?

My husband and I occasionally attend a musical or ballet. Recently, my husband said that he thought we had enough cultural activities in our life, but not enough enjoyment of nature. So we are giving thought to that!

Here are some aspects of balance in a life to consider in your own life:

Deskwork versus physical activity

Work versus leisure

Serving versus being served

Learning versus applying your learning

Being alone versus being in a group

Material things versus spiritual things

What other kinds of balance are there to think about in life?

Do you know anyone who leads a life in some way balanced? What does their life look like?

One Bible writer, Paul, learned to balance both paying for himself and receiving help from others. Here’s sections from letters to two different churches at different times:

Letter 1: “We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.” 2 Thess. 3:7

Letter 2: “It was good of you to share in my troubles . . . In the early days . . not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.” Phil. 4:14-16