A few friends and I are reading this book together. Each week we are reading one chapter. On Fridays, I am posting my comments, then giving them the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
Chapter 13: "Health Through Balance"
- He brought out a good point that excellence is often only seen in one area. Recent examples: Tiger Woods- outstanding career as golfer, horrible failure in family; Aaron Hernandez- successfully football career so far, charged with murder; Jack Schaap- much influence in ministry, committed criminal adultery. We may achieve the "success" we wanted in an area, but realize at that moment that we also achieved an alarming failure in other areas.
- We, as preachers are susceptible to this temptation of imbalance because we have a desire to be used by God and to see Him work through us. It is easy to want to be a successful preacher and focus on that to the exclusion of other responsibilities.
- His explanation of priorities was helpful for me. He said that when we talk about time, we do need to list things at times. However, in general, he said we need to look at priorities as a wheel: God is the center and the other things in life are the spokes. If we just look at a list, we would always choose spouse over work. If we always choose that, we will be looking for another job (or our spouse may want to!). However, with the "wheel" concept in mind we will realize that 1) everything is anchored in God, and 2) each area will have its time when it is chosen over other areas.
- "Balance cannot be achieved unless we are willing to say No." (Page 189) BOOM!! Who else is in the process of learning so say this little word?
- When trying to balance things, we cannot simply say, "I'm going to start doing this, this and this, and then I'll be balanced." Right now, our time is already being used. In order to add things, we most likely will need to take away things first. That is the hardest part, in my opinion, because we see the importance of everything we do. However, we may need to set aside some "little rocks" to get the "big rocks" in.
I've had my say, what say you?
Discussion on Chapter 12
Discussion on Chapter 14
A few friends and I are reading this book together. Each week we are reading one chapter. On Fridays, I am posting my comments, then giving them the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
Chapter 12: "Health Through Simplicity"
- Along with contentedness, I think this is another very appropriate topic. I can readily see how simplicity aids in financial, physical, and time margin, but still don't see a clear connection with emotional margin. Maybe some more thinking will bring the answer.
- The fact that Jesus "was born with nothing, lived with little, and died with nothing" (page 171) reminds me that material resources are not the gauge for how much a person can affect those around him.
- I appreciate his emphasis on inward simplicity before we try to put into practice outward. If our heart is not content with a simple lifestyle, I think it would just be a drudgery, and more of a frustration than a blessing.
- What simplicity is: voluntary, free, uncluttered, natural, creative, authentic, focused, margined, disciplined, diligent and healthful. Some thoughts about these:
* I needed to be reminded that it is voluntary. My willingness to live such must be anchored, or others' lives/opinions will drag me away from simplicity.
* When we prepared to move to Moldova, we got rid of much, let quite a bit behind, and only brought a few things ... and yet we still look at things and wonder why we brought them! Being uncluttered is living simply, yet we can "unclutter" and still be rather ... cluttered!
* "Passive entertainment can dull the sense of wonder God has placed within us." (Page 172) Without all the extraneous things, it is easier (more necessary?) to be creative.
- What simplicity isn't: easy, legalistic, proud, impoverished, ascetic, neurotic, ignorant or escapist.
* The most needed reminder for me was that simplicity isn't proud. With anything we do, it is so easy to think highly of ourselves because of the "good" we do. I know a temptation for me is to look down on others for the areas in which I am living simply, but they are not. May God help me to get this pride out of my life!
* Appreciated this: "God is a good Creator, and He has created a whole world full of good things. It is not wrong to use them- they were made to be used. But our material appetites must be controlled." (Page 175)
- "Gratification of our appetites has become a widespread goal not seriously challenged by the Church." (Page 176) Ouch!!
- I think simplicity is another quality that each of us have implemented to some extent in our lives, albeit in different ways. However, I think this chapter was a good reminder/encouragement for us.
I've had my say, what say you?
Discussion on Chapter 11
Discussion on Chapter 13
