Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Advent-Christmas Devotional - 2017 - single page | Page 18

Come to Balance
Thursday, December 14th
Hebrews 13:5-6
“Come to balance” is a football phrase. Before a defender tries to tackle the ball carrier, he needs to come
to balance. That means he needs to get his feet under him, his hips settled, and his balance centered so he
can react to any sudden moves by the ball carrier and make the tackle.
How easy it is for our lives to get out of balance, especially in this season of spending. This time of year, we
have more people and things calling for our money than we have money to spend. Gifts for family and
friends, money that we feel obligated to donate for parties or fundraisers. . . soon we fear that the January
credit card statement will be more than what we can pay. We feel the pressure to match our neighbors’
elaborate yard decorations. We feel the pressure to provide the perfect Christmas meal for our family
along with all the snacks and beverages throughout the day. The kids need new Christmas clothes as well
as the costumes for their school Christmas pageant. We are pulled in every direction at once, and all too
quickly we find ourselves out of balance.
We need to come to balance. The author of Hebrews helps us do this. He offers us a warning against the
love of money, along with the encouragement to be content with what God has given to us. Then he
reminds us why we can be content and balanced, even during this busy season. God promised to never to
leave us or forsake us. God kept this promise, first and foremost, by sending Jesus to this world to be our
Savior. God didn’t forsake us in our sin or leave us alone – he sent his own Son to pay the price we deserve
for our sin. Jesus never let himself get out of balance during his time on this earth. Despite the troubles
around him, he remained focused on his mission to rescue us from our sin.
As you feel pulled in so many directions, take some time to come to balance this Christmas by focusing on
God’s promise of love and care. Content in God’s provision and secure in his care, we can continue on the
path to heaven unafraid and fully balanced.
Prayer: Gracious Savior and Lord, bring us back to balance by reminding us of your love for us. Help us to
navigate the challenges of this season content in your care. Remove our fears as we continue our walk
toward heaven, confident that you go with us every step of the way.
Activity: This time of year there are so many charities requesting donations and help. We can be pulled in
many directions wanting to try to help them all. Discuss all the different charities that you could support,
and pick one to support as a family as a way to express your thanks to God for all that he has given you in
Jesus.
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