April 4, 2016 - Balance: The E3 Plan

Years ago I had a player come to the bench explain to me that the other team knew what we were going to do each time down the floor. I agreed and asked him if was possible that they figured out since he had called the same play and run it to the same side each time down the floor?

The reality is that in sports and in life there has to be balance in order to be effective. Yet we live in a world of indulgence. We live in a world that glamorizes success at any cost…

·         The student that spends extra hours to get the grades while ignoring family relationships…

·         The athlete that spends extra hours on the court or field but ignores the books…

·         The dad that spends extra hours at the job to get more money while ignoring his wife and kids…

·         And the list could go on and on…

All are trying to obtain a noble goal, but at what expense? All mean well but are out of balance…

Today I was looking at Scriptures that remind us of the importance of hard work and diligence; no one wants to be thought of as lazy. (Even lazy people are offended when they are called lazy.) And I applaud the effort to pursue excellence, but…

The Scriptures also continually tell us to be wise and remind us to stay in balance… as we are told to take care of our work, to take care of our families, to honor days of rest, etc. My encouragement this week is for you to take a look at the balance of your personal life… and I have the Scripture to support that encouragement.

THE E³ PLAN

Proverbs 4:25-27     Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. (EXAMINE YOUR LIFE) Ponder the path of your feet, and let all of your ways be established. (ESTABLISH A PLAN) Do not turn to the right of the left; remove your foot from evil. (EXECUTE THE PLAN)

But remember that the plan needs to be balanced! In fact the word “ponder” at the beginning of verse 26 literally means to “make level, weigh it out, balance” your path (plan.) Give yourself a predetermined amount of time for the things you are doing, and during that time pursue excellence (as working unto the Lord - Colossians 2:23)!

 

"Plan your work... then work your plan!" Coach John Wooden