The Gas Can
Saturday in the park, I wish it was the forth of July. Oh, wait I guess it is past the forth of July. But, it is Saturday, and I am stuck in a quandary. It is a rare day where there isn’t anything going on. No specific plans and we don’t have to be anywhere. I am trying to take advantage of having a down day but I am having difficulty doing it.
I don’t want to do anything, and I need to get stuff done. Even though I am trying to relax, my mind keeps telling me that I should get up and do something. Maybe that is why it is important to leave the house or area in order for you to completely relax. If I can’t actually have access to the work that needs to be done, I can mentally let it go.
So what’s with the gas can? Well you see, it is fuel. You need to have it available to feed the machines you have in your garage. No gas, no lawn mowing. If the tank is empty, I can sit on the lawn mower all day, but I still will not be able to run the machine. All it will lead to is frustration. If I need the energy that the gas provides, periodically I have to go to the gas station and refill the gas cans. A sort of recharge period. I need the fuel, I need the cans to be full, and I need to take the time to re-fill them when they get empty.
For me, in the midst of my busy life, a periodic recharge period is necessary for me to be able to run the engine of my life. Naps, vacations, getting outside, and diversions are all a part of that process. The challenge is too balance the recharge period with the work. Not letting the constantly refueling and not always running the machine. Balance, balance, balance. A process that I am still trying to master.
The Measure of a Man
As I was leaving work today, I had a lot on my mind. We just are in the middle of a reorganization and there is a lot to accomplish. I am very excited about where we are headed and what the future holds for the ministry. Making a difference in the workplace is a team effort and it is very gratifying. But is that what defines us as a person? I am in a different boat than most people because I work at an awesome church and I certainly believe that I am called there for more than just “work”.
But still, as I walked out the doors, I just thought about who I am as a person. How am I doing as a father, a husband, or a son? Do I live my life consistently in all areas? Do I put so much into one area, that I have nothing left in others? Am I out of balance? In some area’s I am sure I measure up. In some other area’s I am sure I don’t.
I think about a car that is out of alignment or has one low tire. That one item affects the whole car. The alignment issue makes the car pull in one direction, so you are always fighting the steering. If uncorrected, parts start to wear out faster and eventually cause more damage. The low tire does something very similar, it drags the whole vehicle in the direction of the problem. Our lives also get dragged in the direction of the imbalance.
When we over commit in one area, it is at the expense of another. The areas of our lives should complement each other. Work should compliment home; home should complement our relationships; relationships should complement our work. It is the art of life in the balance. But, we all go through season’s where balance is tough to achieve.
So I submit this, through the highs and the lows in our lives, our character is who we truly are. Circumstance will always change. If your countenance changes every time the wind blows, that is a reflection of your character. Every storm is an opportunity to build your character. The combination of maintaining balance in your life and your countenance is great gain.
So the measure of a man is just a gauge. It is a mark that is used for your own personal growth. Don’t compare your mark with others. It is just a way to make improvements and course corrections in your own life. So take the time to take regular measurements and make the necessary adjustments to stay on course in becoming the person God has created you to be. Build your character and seek balance in all you do.