As a child, I remember having an urgent desire to help people, especially those I felt needed a champion. Today, that desire has not changed; if anything, this longing has grown stronger. However, I can’t seem to find the impetus to sit down and think about how I can make a direct and unquestionable impact, to fully silence this echo of championing causes to help those in need. Not that I don’t want to.
I love to dress up and look fabulous because it’s just my nature. Quite recently, I received a new wig from my BFF, and I must admit, it has become somewhat of an obsession as I am becoming acclimated to wearing this particular wig. You see, this wig has taken me a bit out of my comfort zone—it’s a big hair, don’t care kind of a situation. Assuredly, it looks fabulous, but it will take some getting used to having it on my head.
I share the above as I sit quietly pondering the two situations: my inability to find time to do the things I believe are permanent in my life, and second, creating and sustaining the kind of light spoken of in Isaiah 58 versus an obsession that seriously borders on idolatry. My current reality would innocently escape me if not for the spiritual maturity that comes from a relationship with Christ and Bible reading.
How do we strike a balance and not the rock?
Here’s a bit of perspective: Moses, while leading the Israelites, was given an order to speak to the rock, and water would come out of it (Numbers 20:9). However, in his anger, he struck the rock instead, a far deviation from God’s plan.
Every instruction given to us by God has nothing to do with us but everything to do with his grand design for humanity. We do not need to understand; we need only be obedient. And if speaking to the rock is not how we conceive life for ourselves, we run into the danger of disrupting God’s perfect plan. It is essential, therefore, to our well-being to strike a balance in our lives (speak to the rock) and not choose to negotiate the instructions or purpose of God in our lives by striking the rock. Instead, we must view our choices as creating a way that sanctions us to be and do God’s will without compromise.
What is your choice? Will you strike the rock or strike a balance (speak to the rock)?
Yes, I love the hair and take it as a metaphor for every other obsession we may have that takes us away from the purpose of our existence. But understand, God’s work takes the front seat to everything else.
The balance is this, God takes priority, and everything else is a close second. That’s our balance as Christians. That is how we speak to the rock or strike a balance. Striking the rock is us deciding through emotions and short-sightedness that we know what is best for us. Take a lesson out of Moses’ book. Striking the rock takes away the blessings. When we strike the rock and do not strike a balance, we diminish our potential and reduce the opportunity for God to use us to advance his kingdom.
What do you want for your life? Are things currently disjointed? I urge you to go back to the purposes of God for your life. Find that happy medium where you enjoy things rather than obsess over them.
Strike a balance, not the rock. Who needs a dead-end, anyway?
