A Balanced Life

I was talking with a friend this week about how, we as a culture, have the mentality that we have to have ‘more’ of everything!  Most families have a minimum of two cars, closets full of clothes, dozens of pairs of shoes, all the latest appliances and newest gadgets, every new video game (and the apparatus needed to operate it), all the newest videos and books, new cell phones as trends demand, and new furniture along with a garage full, to over flowing, of other ‘stuff’!  So massive are the ‘things’ we accumulate, we have to store part of it in storage units.  Studies indicate self-storage facilities have become a $22-billion dollar a year enterprise.

            We are driven to work as many hours as possible to have the money to buy all these “things,” along with bigger houses and even more things!  All this work is to attain what is known as “the good life.”  But I wonder, are we really?

            When we work ourselves into oblivion, is that good?  We are so caught up in making the next sale, getting more hours or making the biggest deal, we lose sight of what is important.  My friend and I were discussing a documentary called “The Minimalist” which he had watched.  He explained the concept is to live on the least possible, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  The documentary even includes topics like personal growth and relationships.

We all face triumphs and tragedies, and the pioneers across the country were no different.  Generations past lived as indentured servants, felt great worry and fear as their loved ones left another country to come to the US, or sons left for a great Civil War that nearly ripped our nation apart.  Each of these actions was to further the “good life” for the generations to come.  Yet, they too, needed to take time out for God.  

            Before the culture of enormous technology, most people read the Bible, largely because it was the ‘Literature’ available.  Video games, TV shows, internet and other such diversions were not yet invented, so they didn’t have those kinds of distractions.

            It’s all about having a balanced life.  When we get so involved in ‘getting to the top’ and focusing on how many material ‘things’ we can accumulate, we lose sight of what is important.  We risk our relationships with our families and ourselves, which includes quiet time and activities for our well-being; and our God.

            There are times we are so focused on getting out of the house on time in the morning, we put off quiet time with The Lord.  When we are finally back home, domestic duties or other responsibilities press in and put off stopping to take time for Him again.  When we finally make it to bed at night, we are so tired, we are asleep as soon as our head hits the pillow!  This suggests our life may not be balanced. 

            I encourage you to re-evaluate your life.  Is it time to consider a less cluttered life that will likely offer more balance and happiness?