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Balance

by Stenoy (Steve) Stephenson

 
I took the kids to the beach - they had a fantastic time. But the problem we have as parents, is getting them to leave the beach once we get them there! They just would not come out of the surf, nor would they listen when we keep calling "enough now, we need to go". As parents what we seek is for our kids to stay balanced. If they play too much, they could fall sick; if they play too little, then it isn't fun. Staying balanced is vital for every human being. Balanced in every area of our lives ... whether we're spending too much money or not spending enough, whether we're talking too much or not talking enough, or even whether we're resting too much or not resting enough. Any time we are doing too much or too little of something, we are out of balance. Balance is critical to good leadership and essential for a healthy organisation.

In the book entitled The Seven Deadly Virtues, Author Gerald Mann looked at seven classic virtues and showed how each one, taken to an extreme, gets twisted into an ugly and hurtful version of itself. Even your best strengths, in other words, can become your worst weaknesses if you fail to find a healthy balance… "vices hide in the shadow of our virtues". It is a scary and profound thought, isn't it?

For years, I was not balanced in my approach to work. I felt that my whole life should be arranged around work. Beginning as a working student to pay my university fees, I used to attend classes during the day, work as security guard from late afternoon until midnight, clean the high school toilets early morning at 4am. Hardly 4-5 hours of sleep. Those habits tagged along even after university. If I was working and accomplishing something, I didn't feel the guilt. But that urge to work all the time was not from God; it did not push me toward godly balance in my life. Work is a good thing, but I also needed to rest and have enjoyment. I don't mean to say I have perfected the issue now. I have recognised it and it's a work in progress, by the grace of God.

Mark 6:31 "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest for a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

As Leaders in work, in our home, and in the community, it is critical we are able to present the best version of ourselves consistently. In order to achieve this, we must attain a sense of balance and harmony within ourselves. Giving ourselves a structure and framework from which to view balance is the critical first step. Everyone will have their own perspective on this. However, I believe there are five key elements: Physical, Intellectual, Spiritual, Emotional and Social to maintain balance successfully as a leader and as a human being. A balanced life is when all areas of your life are in harmony. If we are living balanced lives, then we are living according to the Word of God, living like our Lord lived.

As a leader, it's our duty and our calling to demand excellence for the right reason, for the right purpose and with an attitude that says, "we're going to demand the best that human beings can produce, but we're going to care for each other while we're doing it". It is our job as a leader to keep the organization balanced. Occasionally that's no fun. Sometimes it's not popular. And frequently, people will misunderstand. But that's the job. A strong sense of mission keeps us focused on our organisation's reason for being and keeps us headed in the right direction. Balanced leadership, financial discipline and a strong mission work together to help an organisation thrive. "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…" Philippians 1:6

 
Stenoy is the Director of Mission Integration at Adventist HealthCare

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