Balance- God vs. Man

[SillySeth]

I feel like I am being torn in two directions at the moment. What I am discovering is that I need balance. The two different directions are as follows: following God with no regard towards mankind vs. treating mankind with utmost respect while disregarding God. Balance. I, of course, described the two sides to an extreme to emphasize the direction.

In real life, though, it isn’t so extreme. I’m being serious. I recently have run into a circumstance that caused me to evaluate my direction. I always knew that I cared too much about what other people felt about me but this week it came down to the wire. I found myself in a situation where I was in the wrong. I had done something that was rude and completely uncalled for. I hadn’t realized that I had done these things, but I had. I felt absolutely horrible. Mentally, I completely collapsed, feeling like I was a horrible person and that I was going to lose all my reputation. Then… after driving awhile, I realized my error. I was putting my value, my reputation, and the way I felt about myself on humans, rather than God.

I placed all my anxiety and worth on what other people felt about me. I was in the wrong, and I am the one that was rude, but that still doesn’t mean I’m not a worthy person. My value, and purpose comes from God; not from man. Reality Check. Where are you placing your worth, value, and reputation? Is it based on man or on God?

Then, I felt convicted from the other side. Whereas, this kind of person becomes consumed with the things of God so much that they are unable to communicate and deal with people on a social basis. I find this a challenge, because I can tend to be a little obsessive compulsive. This habit creates a struggle with creating a balance between God and man. I know of many times where I have consumed myself so much into a God-mode that I was unable to effectively deal with people. Actually, unfortunately, I think I do it often. Do you struggle becoming to much God-consumed that you are unable to deal and communicate with people?

Balance. An even distribution. That is what we need. Right? An even distribution between God and man. Too much of God, we lose our influence and mission of effecting others. Too much of man, we lose our essential connections with the creator of the universe. Balance. That is what we need.

How is the balance going on in your life? Do you need more of God? Do you need more of man?

(This blog actually could have some quirks. I’m still a little undecided on what an effective balance is. I myself struggle with this a lot, but I thought I would explain it to see what others think… so give some feedback, let me know what your ideas are on… balance.)

 

[Jonesie]

Ok, here's some thoughts. These may or may not be biting. You should be God balanced rather than Man balanced. As you pointed out earlier, placing too much emphasis on what your fellow humans think about you is hindering. It ultimately doesn't matter. There is no "going too much into God mode". There is however self righteousness which is what the Pharisees were suffering from. They felt like they were SO right with their relationship with God and so proud of how well that they were doing that they didn't even notice Him standing in front of them. I have had friends who are so consumed by how they "look" in Gods eyes that they quite honestly behaved like the Pharisees and Saducees. God simply wants us to serve Him without us being proud of it. When you do something good, don't even think about it. Doing God's will should be so engrained in your mind that when you do it, it's like breathing air. For some interesting thoughts on human nature and someone who was profoundly introspective I would recommend Augustine.

 

[herryjohn]

do it better

 

[unkern]

Could you please enlighten me more on what your talking about when you say we need a balance between God and man? Because we need all God and by having all God we are able to fulfill our mission. I might be misunderstanding you though

 

[Sariebeth]

i look at it like this me < God less of me more of God! i cant control my Life if i do i fail and i mess up everything! God is in control of it all, i might not always understand why things are going they way they are but i know that i can trust that God has things under control all i have to do is walk in obedience to that ... Too Much God? i Understand that statement to a point but how can one have to much God and not want to care about man thats what God is all about.. i can communicate with people just fine i love talking to people it does not effect my relationships with other people because i've made God my first Love like it should...