Devotional Thought, July 15, 2023

       

This morning I was sent a comic strip. Picture this: Two police officers, an elderly lady in handcuffs, her husband lying on the floor, a table with a completed jigsaw puzzle. And this is the caption: ‘The evidence suggests that she got up from the puzzle to make herself a cup of tea. When she returned her husband had come into the living room and put the last piece of the puzzle in!’

While this to me is hilarious, because it is a cartoon, I wonder how many times the little things in life send us over the edge. And what is behind these outbursts or melodramatic instances?

We have often used the phrase ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’. And as children we played a game of loading up a wagon until we couldn’t move it. We wanted to test the strength of it. Of course, we didn’t know that loading one more child into the red wagon was going to break the wheels. We were just out to have fun. Little did we know this lesson in our early lives would repeat itself over and over in adult life. How difficult it is for most of us to find balance.

Imagine for a moment the tightrope walker. Just a little too much tilt of the pole he is carrying, to the left or right, too much compensation to one or the other and down they fall. Even as an expert in this practise of balancing, there are moments when being off kilter will result in an undesirable result. It happens.

And there are moments in my life and I believe in your life, when these outcomes are hard to maintain. We have become adept at trying to work this out. And on most days, we succeed. But that tightrope is at times susceptible to being thrown off. And we struggle.

Here is a truth we must accept – One cannot find balance, it must be created. So, every day, each moment we live, we take time to examine our priorities. Ask the question: Will the world fall apart if I don’t do that? Is this the path I need to walk down today? Will the Lord be glorified? Am I doing my best to live a Christian life? Am I allowing this world and what it offers mean more to me than God’s path for my life?

Every day, as we live, you will experience those ups and downs, those days when hiding in your room is what you need to do, when reaching out to another is the balance of friendship and love you give to another, when acting far beyond what you thought possible is the moment of balance. It will be different for each of us.

I have in my possession a beautiful Inuksuk. And as I gaze at it, I am reminded of the meaning behind it. It was given to me by a special friend with whom I walked with spiritually. It was her expression of appreciation. The symbol of hope and friendship.

Perhaps you have a focal point in your possession that reminds you of the balance you are seeking – a favorite Bible verse, a wall plaque, a friend that you call, a prayer to the Almighty. Whatever it is for you, go there each day and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit that you will continue to be balanced in your life, as you walk and talk with the One who provides all this for us – Christ Jesus!

May you shine as God’s Light in the world!

 

Liz Church

Director of Pastoral Care

Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge

—-

Camp Awesome is a full-day faith-based day camp summer program, July 17-21 at Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls, that is active, engaging and fun for children.  We combine vacation bible school teachings, including stories, songs and crafts, with interactive games and theme day fun.  Healthy snacks provided!

Camp Awesome has a program for every age group:
CA Camper – Ages 4 * – 12

CA Crew – Ages 12 – 13

Youth Leadership – 13+

Cost per child is $150 for the week at Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls, with a free (return) bus from Perth (pick up at St. Paul’s United, Perth at 8:15am, returning at 4:25pm).

Financial assistance is available for families.