That’s a Balanced Life!

I was recently confronted by a powerful quote:

“Imagine reading a book
with no way to turn back the page.
How carefully would you read that book?
That’s life.”

I’ve been thinking about this observation for more than a week. Sure, I could say this is a busy season: wrapping up teaching a large Bible study, packing for an imminent move, completing a freelance edit project, and prepping for a couple of speaking engagements, to name just a few of the activities vying for my attention this week. But those are really just excuses. The bottom line is that every season is busy.

My days are often filled with activities that allow me to check off items on a to-do list. One down, nine to go. Two down, eight to go. The items get crossed off, but at what cost?

As I’ve been sitting with the above quote at the forefront of my thoughts, I’m very much aware that the important question I need to answer is not how many items I’ve checked off my daily to-do list. The more critical question is, How much do I truly treasure the moments of each day or the relationships I have been gifted with?

Treasuring Relationships

Perhaps I’m more sensitive to the issue of relationships because of the impending move. Friends I’ve interacted with for more than 25 years will no longer be neighbors conveniently located a short walk outside my front door. And now I wish I had taken more time to be intentional about sharing a cuppa one-on-one.

Treasuring Creation

Or taking more walks around the neighborhood to connect with people and appreciate the wildlife throughout our piece of heaven on earth. Sandhill cranes and roseate spoonbills. Mourning doves cooing and mockingbirds singing. Gators and gopher tortoises. Raccoons and squirrels. And even an occasional bobcat hunting for its next meal.

Treasuring an Eternal Perspective

Treasuring relationships cannot be disconnected from an eternal perspective. I’m reminded of a quote from C. S. Lewis in his book, The Weight of Glory, regarding an eternal perspective applied to our relationships:

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”

This is not about time management. I can’t manage time. I can’t slow it down or speed it up. But I can be a good steward of the time I’ve been gifted. Nurturing relationships,  balancing writing at a laptop with healthy physical activity, and enjoying our vibrant creation while also investing in eternal priorities. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 10:31 (ESV), “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

I may not be able to turn back life’s pages. But I can savor each page before it turns, even as I “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14 ESV).

Yes, that’s life. And yes, my goal is a balanced life. I hope you’ll join me!

What are your thoughts?