A Balancing Act

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20

My checkbook needs to be reconciled each month. Since earnings are deposited and bills paid, activity changes the balance. I keep a register, but still need to make certain I’m on target with the bank. So I reconcile the checkbook, cross-checking my debits and credits against theirs. If I’m on top of things, it gets done every month, but there are months I let it slide.

My spiritual life functions in much the same way. I need to balance my activity against the Word of God. Special attention to detail is critical when things don’t add up. And when they do, more attention is required to guard against pride, self-sufficiency, and meaningless spending. My time has value and spending it on just anything, is not using my worth well. Prayer, study, church, relationships, and service are as valuable as rest, silence, meditation, and time alone. Sometimes busyness robs me of balance, making quietness the best deposit.

Financial terminology is used throughout the Bible to keep us in balance: value, reconcile, paid the debt, the cost of sin. These terms are significant because they encompass the gospel message. We were separated from God due to sin, but Jesus saw our value and made the biggest deposit ever. He reclaimed us, giving us purpose for this life: to share the message of reconciliation. It’s a message of value we bring to an overdrawn world.

Keep in step with the Spirit. Let Him teach through confirmation and conviction how our activity is registering. Confess, show gratitude, be less self-centered and more Christ-centered. It’s easy to assume things add up when we don’t regularly check in.

Replenishing your spirit comes through an active relationship with God. Let Him reconcile your life.

*And a perfect addition from my friend Dan Allen: I especially like, and am eternally grateful for, that financial term used in Scripture for something Jesus said: “tetelestai” (“It is finished”) – “paid in full.”