At the start of each new year many of us take the time to do some reflection on the year just past and to set some goals or intentions for the year that stretches before us. Often we hear about the desire to lead a more “balanced” life — one in which our time is evenly portioned out according to the various spheres and needs of daily life: sleep, diet, work, relationships, hobbies, faith. If only we can live this way, we imagine we will be healthy, enjoy harmonious relationships and be fulfilled.
The difficulty is, very few remarkable achievements arise from well-ordered, balanced lives. Health researchers Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness authors of The Passion Paradox go so far as to say that balance and passion are incompatible.
This Sunday we will consider the story of the Magi who had a burning desire (aka passion) to meet the Christ child. They had to abandon balance to undertake an arduous journey with an uncertain outcome.
Of course, we do need to have self-care and not burn ourselves out by abandoning all and everything to our passion for Christ. Is there a way to have “balanced” passion? Join us Sunday as we explore this more deeply.