Find Overall Life Balance with Us (9)

The Divine Anchor: God’s Role in Navigating Life and Family balance

As children transition into their teenage years, I often find myself lost in a maze of changes. Physiological transformations, shifting mental landscapes, and the onset of puberty bring forth a wave of challenges, naturally, leading to conflicts, differences in preferences, and varying values within the household. Yet, amidst this whirlwind of change, one steadfast anchor remains – the presence of God and His word, providing solutions of two essential and critical issues at current moment of our lives- standard and priority. 

And hence, I have to balance my professional and individual life, with my family life.  The intricate complexities and process that we have to go through as a family, is predicated on God’s teachings.  If I didn’t put my children’s life before my own, then I would have failed even if I soared in my career.  Relying on God has helped me maintain my life as a professional, Dad and child of God.  Anyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a Dad. My credibility as a solo violinist is hinged on my reliability as a Dad and husband…in the Lord.

Standard
The teenage years are a period of immense growth and exploration, both for children and us. As adolescents assert their independence and forge their identities, clashes and disagreements are inevitable. Ultimately, an issue of standard. The daddy card- “I am right because I’m your dad” doesn’t work anymore… Rather than succumbing to discord, the only common ground I can think of is the scripture, God’s words —a standard against which decisions and actions can be measured, fairly applies to everyone. Here’s a couple of our go to Bible verses.

Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This verse underscores the importance of instilling moral values and teachings of God within our children, providing them with a moral compass to navigate life’s challenges.

Furthermore, Ephesians 6:1-4 emphasizes the significance of mutual respect and love within the family unit: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother… Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” These verses emphasize the reciprocal nature of familial relationships, where respect, obedience, and love form the foundation of harmonious coexistence.

Priority
In times of strife and disagreement, prayer becomes a powerful tool for reconciliation and healing. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” However, whenever a child shows little or no interests in seeking solution from God’s wisdom, then it becomes a problem elevated to a spiritual level, everything has to be put on hold at this point. There are times when we just have to stop whatever we are doing—I stop my work, children stop their school—and we would only do prayers and Bible reading, from morning till evening, until the day that problem goes away, life then resume.

Moreover, the practice of gratitude and thanksgiving fosters a spirit of appreciation within the family. We recently started a weekly family forum, we prepare snacks and drinks, everybody shares their gratification and struggle, goal for the following week and growth of the last. Again, God’s words serve as anchor and light in this forum.

Colossians 3:15 reminds us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” By acknowledging God’s blessings and grace, we try to cultivate an atmosphere of love and acceptance, transcending differences and fostering a sense of belonging.

Maintaining a solo career requires an immense amount of effort, practice, and networking—it requires a significant investment in time to do so. It’s quite impossible to meet this requirement while dedicating just as much time to my family. Many times, I’ve cried and prayed to God, questioning if at my age which is pushing 50, if this path is right for me or should pursue an orchestra job, which would make my whole world of life much easier (I’ve recently turned down an offer to be a concertmaster of a distinguished orchestra with a handsome annual salary), Prayer after prayer, God gave me not just one, but three signs- He showed mercy by letting me win three International gold medal awards in last two years, the true miracle is that I didn’t even submit an entry for them! 

In essence, God’s role in our family life is pivotal, serving as a cornerstone of strength, wisdom, and guidance. As conflicts arise and differences emerge, let us turn to the scriptures for solace, drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom they impart. With God as our compass, we can navigate the complexities of family life with faith, hope, and love.

We warmly invite you to come to the True Jesus Church’s bi-annual Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation.  See details below.

18-21 April, 2024 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation

Thursday, 18 April, 2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, 19-20 April, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, 21 April, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.

Please find our church location below:

4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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For online streaming, please click here.

For regular service hours, please click here.

Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org