Finding the Combination:
During the racing season this phrase can be heard throughout the pit area of almost any race track. Crew chiefs, mechanics and car owners continually strive to find and maintain that elusive combination that so often seems to determine the difference between winning and losing. It has always been my personal belief that our lives function according to the same principle. As human beings, we are a delicate balance of physical, emotional and spiritual elements … complete with an amazing array of challenging and complex emotions. As in racing, finding the proper combination of these key elements is extremely important to the consistent performance and well-being of our existence. The Bible teaches that man is a trinity of body, soul and spirit. Each of these elements requires its own level of attention and nurturing. When a crew chief makes significant adjustments to the fuel system of his championship combination, it may cause complications in the functioning of the clutch – thereby necessitating new adjustments in an entirely different area. Life carries with it a similar pattern of cause-and-effect. As various influences impact our life in one particular area, we often notice the effects of those influences in seemingly unrelated areas. When we are unable to find the proper combination of those elements, our lives will occasionally “go up in smoke” or “get out of the groove.” One of the prominent buzz words in our society is … dysfunction. Having been a minister for more than 30 years – and having a Masters degree in counseling – I have been involved in a significant amount of pastoral guidance during that time. It is my experience that many of the so-called dysfunctions of people’s lives are merely the result of earlier experiences in life when people, in effect … “lost the combination” for a period of time. I hope you will determine this year to seek effective ways to find and maintain the proper combinations which will enable you to feel better about yourself, add enrichment to your relationships, and ultimately make your life a better place to function.
Ken Owen
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