When I read the Bible, I always ask myself hard questions. Today the question is: Am I living a balanced life?
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, yet in a futile state, looked at the world and said: "I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?" Ecclesiastes 7:15-17
His conclusion, born out of frustration and "days of vanity," is simple: stay in the middle. Don't be too righteous. Don't be too wicked. Don't be too wise. Don't be too foolish. Find balance.
I want to push back.
There is one place where balance is the enemy: loving and following Jesus.
Be excessively loving, never hate.
Be ridiculously forgiving, never hold a grudge.
Be wildly sacrificial, never protect your own comfort first.
Be completely obsessed with Jesus and His Kingdom. Never waste your life building your own.
When it comes to Jesus, "balanced" is just another word for lukewarm. So when it comes to Jesus?
Be extreme.
Be unbalanced.
Be all in.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.