A few weeks ago I heard a message from one of my favorites speakers. Like most messages that I hear and enjoy, I spent the rest of day dwelling over what was said. This is normal. Regrettably, it is also normal for that same day reflection to be the full extent, or at least, the primary source of thought upon the topic. However, this message from a few weeks back has really stuck with me. Ha, much past the typical time frame. The things God has taught through this message are undoubtedly one of his acts of preparation for my time in Bolivia.
When it comes to living life at full capacity I generally think of two areas that I need to make sure "I'm good" in. In the remainder of this post I will use a simple analogy of a car: a car an its requirement of a tank of gas to run. Generally, I see my need to keep my "physical" tank and my "spiritual" tank full. I have learned that with either one of these tanks empty, life is simply not what it should be. For example, if I am always tired, life sucks. Or on the other hand, if I am truly energized but not in touch with the spirit, what contentment can I truly find? What good can I really do? For the longest time I focused on keeping these two tanks full. Yet, I had forgotten about a third thing, a third tank I need to keep full.
This third is the "emotional" tank. Maybe it's because I am male, or maybe its just me, regardless, I seem to often forget about how much my emotional state effects every aspect of life. Although emotion is an inherently internal thing and not directly transferable to anyone, it affects me, and as my "emotional" tank fluctuates I approach things differently. These differences can be seen in my relationships and even my work. When I'm feeling emotionally empty, this is not a sin, but I am simply not at my best. For me this was an important lesson to learn.
Although the solutions for filling my physical and spiritual tanks are simple not easy, they are more or less straight forward. Physically, to stay full I need to be getting adequate amounts of sleep and keeping my body energized through nutrition. Seems simple enough. Spiritually, to stay full, I have always felt there are a variety of things I can do. Generally, by asking myself a few simple questions, a solution can be found. Am I spending time in the word? How's my prayer life? How's my community of believers? Spiritually, I need to be spending time with the father which can obviously be played out in many ways. Not always easy, but simple enough. However, how does one truly fill the emotional tank?
The preaching pastor, who gave this message had a very simple solution: to play. Life is a grind. Emotionally, we need to find the things that recharge us, that bring joy to our hearts. Then, we need to do those things. For different people this can be many different things: for some its running, others reading a book, hiking, climbing, singing, dancing, etc...and the list goes on. The point is we must take time to do the things that makes us happy. Hard work is obviously a good thing, however there is balance to everything in life. Don't forget to play! A wise man once wrote in Ecclesiastes, "So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun". There is something strong to be said about someone who can do just that^.
In Bolivia, I know there will be hard times. I know there will also be great times. Yet, it will be the wisest for us to maintain in balance, working toward keeping our tanks full, all the while simply being ourselves. Let us not get too high, let us not get too low, but let us run the race set out before us.
- Jon Marc Dangaran
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