Balance can be a wonderful thing—but it can also be dangerous!

I’ve no doubt we would all like a perfect life—everything coming from the left, meeting with that from the right. Our finances panning out beautifully, our children all growing up into Godly young adults, our marriages working out just as we planned it.

Fortunately, life doesn’t always fall into slots. I say "fortunately" because to my way of thinking, life would be extremely boring if my life was like that. I’m sure there are many people who love a balanced lifestyle, but I can assure you I do not!

A challenge from God is something we need, and something we can’t afford to ignore. There have been a few in my life—mostly I have met them head on. Sometimes, however, it was only after I’d chewed the challenge over, said my bit, agreed I was wrong and asked His forgiveness, that I was ready to follow His leading—willingly!

For one thing, my God didn’t always allow the plan I had designed for my family. Many times over the years, He has—out of the blue—laid out a path before us that we would never have considered. I have never regretted following His direction, even though at times it meant leaving family and friends behind us. We had to overcome opposition from many people, but following the Lord’s leading turned out to be the best thing we’d ever done. There was a cost, but it was well worthwhile.

Those of you who have more than two or three children would be well aware of the flak that can come their way. To the world, this is not a balanced life. There is nothing wrong with only two or three children—but nor is there anything wrong with having ten or twelve either! Not many people would agree with that—they would say "It’s not a good balance"; "There’s not enough money to go around"; "We can’t afford babies and travel"; “Our mortgage is big enough already!” and so on. How sad—they don’t know what they’re missing.

As Christians, we need to be tuned into what God is saying. We don’t want to miss His best for us. The cost of offending others can be a threat, but the blessing that comes when we choose the path set before us is far greater, better and blessed than the previous path we followed. He only wants the best for us—what could be more of a blessing than that!

Do we really want a balanced life? I have been a Christian for 32 years. There have been many changes, and a lot of learning, in my life during that time. One of the most important things I have learned is that we are all different. We aren’t called to clone others. If other Christians dress differently to the way we do, it doesn’t mean they aren’t called of God. If they homeschool and we don’t, it doesn’t change their position in the Lord.

You see, challenges are the greatest thing in life—especially when they come from God. He has a plan for us. Let's follow His plan, not that of the world. Who cares what the world thinks! Sometimes it’s hard not to—but we need to overcome those feelings and do what God requests of us. Believe me, it’s exciting.

Copyright © by Margaret Hartnett