It is often a challenge to keep our lives balanced with all our opportunities and responsibilities, I think it is a life-long negotiation.

Mark 9:1-50

Reference:  v.30b-31a  Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  We often think of Jesus' ministry as primarily teaching and healing.  And yet the whole way along he was mentoring and training the disciples.  He would spend time with them in smaller groups, he would teach them separately to the crowds and he would give them greater explanations to things that had happened.  Just like Jesus often took time out for personal prayer, He also took time out to mentor and train His disciples.

Application:  We too have varied roles in our lives.  We may have one focussed career path but there are other hats that we wear as well.  Sometimes our jobs take precedence in our lives for a season, but then we need to make sure we prioritize our friends and family for a time too.  In each area of our lives there is a time and a place for us to give it top priority.  It is often a challenge to keep our lives balanced with all our opportunities and responsibilities, I think it is a life-long negotiation.  Just as Jesus accommodated his personal faith, his mentoring of disciples and his public ministry so too must we keep a balance in our own lives.  There is a time and a place for everything, and we must strive to keep it all in perspective.

Prayer:  Lord, often we get so caught up with the more pressing matters that we forget to keep a Godly balance in our lives.  May Your Spirit prompt us in the areas we need to prioritize more.  Amen.

What areas of your life have become unbalanced?  What can you do this week to rectify this?