Balancing Relationships

An African proverb says, "Work is good, provided you do not forget to live."

One thing Soledad O'Brien writes about in her book Latino In America is about the clash between Latino culture's high value on the family and American culture's idolizing economic independence.

1 John 5:21 Amplified Bible says, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)—[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be)." With God number one in our life God inspires us to prioritize and cherish relationships with people while taking care of all aspects of living.

Neither Latino culture nor American culture nor any human culture is perfect. Culture should be checked against the Bible to cultivate the good and chuck the bad.

Watchman Nee writes in his book Sit Walk Stand The Process of Christian Maturity, "Let us be clear that the body of Christ is not something remote and unreal, to be expressed only in heavenly terms. It is very present and practical, finding the real test of our conduct in our relations with others."

Economic independence is desirable because it can be a tool to taking care of responsibilities and desires. It must never replace or became a hindrance to our relationships with God and family.

Watch and pray about all of your life. The devil works to get us out of balance. For example, if we spend too much time on economic activity we will spend too little time with God and family.

What are some other tricks of the devil to get us out of balance? Write to:

Michele F. Jackson
P. O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, Virginia 22195

Follow Michele F. Jackson on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/michelelove30.