The things we eat, the things we watch, the company we keep, how much we exercise, all affect us in our mental, physical & spiritual wellbeing. Therefore, it’s very important we make every effort to get the right balance.
Consider the following verses
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come
Phillipians 4:8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
As a horticulturist I understand this in relation to plant health. It’s so important to get the balance right. You need just the right amounts of NPK. Studies have found that the ideal NPK fertilizer ratio of those nutrients for flowering plants is 3-1-2. That’s 3% Nitrogen(N)1% phosphorus(P) & 2% potassium(K). Notice how the levels are different, a plant needs more nitrogen than it does phosphorus or potassium. This is because nitrogen is for leaf growth. Without healthy leaves a plant can’t photosynthesise and produce the sugars that fuel its growth.However if it had only nitrogen it would be all leaf. Without potassium there would be no flower or fruit. Without phosphorus the roots which support the plant and supply it with water & nutrients would not perform as well.
You could say in spiritual terms there are also 3 elements we need to spiritually thrive.
WORSHIP towards the Lord, FELLOWSHIP in the family of God, EVANGELISM to the lost
Of utmost importance is our worship, spending focused time with God, learning from him, being in the Word, getting to know him, loving him, honouring him. You could say this is our nitrogen fueling our spiritual growth.
Matt. 6.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The Bible says, “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of LORD”
Deuteronomy 8:33. Our spirit grows when we feed on the Word of God.
Does this mean we should spend all our time sitting at Jesus feet (Luke 10:38-42)? Of course not. Our lives are full of all sorts of commitments & responsibilities. There is a time for everything! See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
It’s important we also make time for fellowship, to minister to each other and help each other grow, to pray together and encourage each other. You might say this our phosphorus, helping our roots grow deep into the fertile soil of our Christian faith.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Finally we need to make time for outreach, making every effort to reach our community for Jesus, loving our neighbour. We need to make time for our friends, our neighbours, our work colleagues. This is our potassium helping us to bear much fruit for the kingdom.
Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Lord help us to spend our time wisely, to focus on those things that help us to grow and equip us for your service and to bear much fruit through a spiritually balanced life!
Amen
