A few years ago, Lynne and I were living in a constant "crisis mode" - just above the point of total exhaustion. I realized I was "skimming" in life. To make energy available to keep my ministry afloat, I began to skim relationally, emotionally and spiritually.

When you're living in crisis mode, your spiritual life becomes a cry for God to help you sustain the treadmill of activity for yet another day. This is dangerous spiritually because you don't have time to reflect or to worship properly. You don't have time to confess your sins deeply. Pretty soon you're involved in mechanical Christianity.

If you're devoted to getting out of crisis-mode living, you'll be willing to make some difficult changes. I have a close friend who requested a demotion at work. It meant a huge financial loss but now his weekends are free, and he leaves the office at four o'clock instead of seven. He has his walk with Christ back. His marriage is growing. He's growing in his relationship with his kids. Those trade-offs may cost you dearly, but they become non-issues when you consider the reasons why you're making the adjustment.

•How would you characterize your lifestyle?
•What changes - even drastic ones - might be necessary to maintain your priorities as a spouse and parent?

Passage for the day: Exodus 33:12-23

Verse for the day: Exodus 33:14

Additional Scripture Readings: Isaiah 30:15; Psalm 62:1,5; Psalm 91:1

Taken from the Couples' Devotional Bible - New International Version, published by Zondervan. Used by permission.

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