The Balancing ActEsimerkki

The Paradigm Shift

Think about the most successful person you know. What makes them successful, in your eyes? The world’s definition of success is a far cry from God’s. We are called to so much more than just accumulating stuff and chasing career accomplishments. God created this multi-faceted life, and under His guidance we can nourish and nurture our faith, fitness, family, friendships, and fun–and not just our fields and finances. We need to shift the paradigm so as to see each area of life as an essential part.

In Proverbs 14:12, Solomon writes, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." When we decide to remove God from certain parts of our lives, we do so to our detriment. Too often, we head in a certain direction on a whim, or without God’s guidance, and it leads to the death of a relationship, or an opportunity. It’s also possible you grew up thinking your "church life" was separate from every other part of "normal life." You may even know people who advocate for this view, and you may find yourself slipping into that way of thinking–consciously or subconsciously excluding God from bits of your life.

Our world has convinced us that true happiness only comes from amassing material things, and that this is a sure way to avoid pain. Think back on the conversations you’ve had, or the billboards you’ve driven past, or the social media posts you’ve scrolled through this week. Can you trace the ways this philosophy has subtly (or not so subtly) been portrayed?

And yet, life is so much more than just pursuing material wealth. Our existence as humans is made up of many parts, and we can’t experience true fulfilment just by having more stuff. We were created to enjoy physical health and great relationships. We were created to laugh, and to enjoy good books and the outdoors, all within God’s prescribed parameters. If you find yourself caught up in a quest for more material wealth, to the detriment of one or more of the other spheres of your life, seek God today and trust Him to resolve the tension. Most people who survive either a life-threatening illness or a catastrophe of some kind say their most painful regret is neglected relationships or unforgiveness they harbored. It’s a bit of a morbid thought, but if you found yourself on your deathbed tonight, which of your "seven cows" would you wish you’d spent more time nourishing or nurturing?

Looking at success in life from only one perspective is a sure way of inviting pain. When one part of your life is neglected, or is devoid of God’s guidance, every other part of your life will suffer too. May God give you wisdom and clarity to shift your paradigm and see your whole life the way He sees it. And may He give you the courage and resolve to feed each facet until it flourishes.