Struggle For Balance 争取平衡
Author : Bro Nick Lim
“You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”
When we have the right priorities, God will enable us to do what needs to be done with joy and satisfaction.
I could still clearly remember the sermon on one of the Sundays many years ago. A Pastor used a picture to illustrate that life is akin to pushing a ball up the hill just for it to come down and having to push it up again. The message comforted me greatly, and also enlightened me that there will always be ups and downs in life. It reminded me that we do not always have the luxury to remain in our comfort zone.
Work has always been a challenge for me and it is getting tougher ever since the beginning of this year. Aside from the usual challenges, issues from factories being shut down due to the Covid-19 locked downs in China, to the conflict in Ukraine that resulted in major fuel price increase, to material shortages leading to severe supply chain challenges exacerbated my already difficult situation. These issues led to a major reorganization of my department in April, which was not to my preference nor advantage. I felt frustrated, unhappy, and drained.
In April, our cell group started a new bible study material called “Balancing Life’s Priorities”. During our 2nd study on How to Live Successfully in Two Worlds (The Struggle for Balance), we gleaned from the story of Mary, Martha and the Good Samaritan. We shared with each other what we have learned from the session, and after listening to sharing from fellow cell members, I felt rejuvenated and a sense of peace from God descended upon me.
Life is a journey; we must keep on walking and pushing on, but we must be mindful of our priorities and purposes. With God’s help, let us learn how we can balance the practical and the spiritual aspects of our daily lives.
文:林天助弟兄
翻译:王佩瑾师母
“你们要全心、全意、全力爱你们的上帝耶和华。”
「你们要全心、全意、全力爱你们的上帝耶和华。你要尽心、尽性、尽力爱主你的神。」
当我们有正确的优先次序时，神将使我们能够带着喜悦和满足感去完成该完成的事。
我还能清楚地记得多年前，有一位牧师在一次主日讲道中，以一个推着球上下坡的画面来形容人生。那次的讲道不但带给我很大的安慰，还让我了解到人的一生中，总会有起伏。它提醒了我，我们不是每时每刻都能活在自己的舒适圈当中。
今年开始，我在工作方面遇到了许多挑战。除了中国工厂被封锁，乌克兰战火导致燃料价暴涨，及其他材料短缺引发供应链问题外，我所属的部门在四月份也进行了重组。那是我不愿有的一个情况，所以我感到沮丧，不开心，而且很疲惫。
在同个时候，我们的小组也开始了新的查经课程材料“生活的优先次序”。在第二堂课：“如何在属世和属灵的生活中得胜”（争取平衡），我们讨论到马利亚、马大和好撒玛利亚人的故事，也聆听了小组成员的分享。在这个过程里，我感觉自己恢复了能量，也找到了平安。
生命是一个旅程，我们需要不断的行走与前进，但也要留意哪些事情是我们的优先和目的。让我们一同学习在日常生活中保持实际生活与属灵生活的平衡。