9^th January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: BALANCING LIFE

THEME SCRIPTURE: "And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself." - Mark 3:21 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How balanced is your life - God, family, work?

It is not so easy to see life as a complex one until you are grown, have a family, and need to make ends meet. The complexities of life can be daunting, such that maintaining a balanced life can be difficult.

The Green Bay Packers once had a coach by the name of Vince Lombardi. Vince is considered one of the legendary coaches of his time.

 He once admonished the team to prioritize their lives, even as athletes, in this way—God first, family second, and Green Bay Packers third. 

Vince's proposal is great, and it is inspiring to see how professional athletes are being encouraged to put God first. But beloved, as much as Vince's proposal may be great on paper, it might be difficult to sustain it through the years. Supposing the Green Bay Packers had to play the Super Bowl final on Sunday, and the players wanted to take their families to church to worship, what would the coach do?

This is the situation Jesus and his disciples were confronted with in their day-to-day life. The pressures of the day were so much that they couldn't eat bread at times (Mark 3:20). When Jesus' friends heard how the crowds were gathered and there was no room for Him to see to other things, they attempted to lay hold of Him (Mark 3:21). The pressure here was not the case that Jesus and His disciples were chasing more money or attempting to climb higher on the corporate ladder. Rather, it was because the needs of the people were so much that they placed a demand on their services.

Jesus and His disciples knew the pressure of a crying world and were prepared to do something about it. This kind of pressure can often bring an imbalance to a neatly balanced life.

Beloved, it is important that we strive to maintain a balanced life, putting God first in all we do. In a world where there is so much pain and the cry of many for help seems to be unheard, a little divine imbalance may not be wrong. In an era of increasing sickness and diseases, a doctor's life can go out of balance often. Jesus and His disciples knew they were in for the fight to save the souls of men. They put in everything.

Precious one, do all you can to maintain a balanced life. However, when the need arises to cause an imbalance, to save the lives or souls of men, do not let that trouble you. Trust God in it all.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Mark 3:20-35

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. What are those things causing the imbalance in your life?

PRAYER

Precious Father, You are the first in my life. I receive grace to maintain a balanced life going forward. Help me to know what to do when the pressures and complexities of life overwhelm me, in Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Genesis 18-19 ; Psalm 9; Mathew 7