Psalm 31:14-15, “Lord, I trust you. I have said, “You are my God.” My life is in your hands. Save me from my enemies and from those who are chasing me.”
Have you ever tried to juggle? How many balls can you keep going in your juggling act? I have tried three and could almost accomplish it if I kept practicing. Successfully, I can juggle two balls
How about in life? Do you feel you’re doing a constant juggling act? Are you struggling to keep all your balls in the air? Work, family, health, friends, and your spiritual life.
Tell me if this sounds familiar. You sit down to get some personal things done, check emails, get your grocery list made, have devotions, etc. You open your e-mail, and your child is requesting help writing a letter or maybe help with a school paper. As you begin your reply to your e-mail, your phone rings, a friend or church member is asking if you could help make something or volunteer for something. You take time to answer both and sit down again to accomplish your task at hand.
Barely minutes into your time, you are again interrupted. The dog has to go out, your child or your spouse needs something, or a neighbor comes knocking; maybe you need to switch the laundry over. Once everyone’s needs are met, you again sit down to focus on your time, but realize a meal needs to be prepped or made, you may have to pick up your kids, or it’s time to leave for an appointment.
Before you know it, the hours have passed by, and you have felt yourself pulled in all directions, juggling all your balls. Maybe you feel torn between your projects and your people, and finding a balance.
In life, we will all face the dilemma of the juggling act, how to balance relationships and responsibilities. Sometimes while we are trying to juggle it all, we place important relationships on the back burner. Our lives become busy, and we may feel that one day without a devotional or reading the Bible will be okay. Or if I miss a prayer this time, I’ll pray extra next time. In our business, we may begin to lose our walk with God as other things become a priority.
It’s like taking all five of your balls and beginning to juggle. Imagine if your work ball was rubber. If it falls, it will bounce right back up, but if the other four balls are made of glass, family, health, friends, and spiritual, what would happen if they fell? They may become scuffed, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. That is why, in our juggling act, we must strive for balance. So, how can we do that when our days are full?
David penned it right. ‘My time is in your hands, Lord.’
We may not be hiding in the wilderness like David. But, have you, at times, felt pressured or pursued by those who want to spend time with you, or desiring ‘your’ time for your projects or quality time with God?
You may feel yourself in a season of business, trying to juggle all your balls. You may be feeling overwhelmed or stressed, trying to keep up and get everything done. Take time to echo David’s words and place your trust in God to help you order your days. Pray for discernment to know how to spend your time so the balls stay balanced and you don’t shirk your responsibilities, neglect the people around you, or place God on the back burner for another day.
The juggling act is real, but thankfully, we have help from our Lord. He will empower us to manage our time wisely and productively. He will help us keep our balls balanced so none fall and shatter. We need to keep Jesus as the center of our lives while we are juggling our five balls because He is our invisible shield. A shield around us that will make sure our glass balls bounce back unharmed. He is our shield from the distractions of this world and from the enemy who wants to keep us “busy”.
If you are juggling (struggling) with life today. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and let Him help you juggle with His arms of comfort and love. Today and each day, choose God first and foremost above all things. Make time for devotions, prayer, and praise, and God will help you through all your daily needs and responsibilities so no ball is dropped. Jesus will lighten your load and lead you through life. Surrender your time to God first, and He will show you which balls to juggle, which ones to share, and which ones to put down.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on ConnectWithGodDaily
Featured Image by Theodor Moise from Pixabay
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