Each relationship is balanced like a seesaw; both ends must have weight, substance, or there is no relationship. It is dynamic, not static, meaning that there is communication, which may be seen in the rise and fall of each side of the seesaw. Sometimes the balance is uneven, and one end needs to carry more of the weight of life, so both people adjust, and one moves closer to the other in support. Eventually the balance will right again, then tip the other way — a perpetual interchange.

Right now I have a full-time job, friends, family, and other responsibilities that require my energy and time investment. I know that I cannot afford to invest in a new relationship at the moment. However, my need to be liked is warring with my need for self-preservation. I'm already stretched very, very thin. I know it would be unhealthy and unfair to enter into a new relationship when I do not have the internal resources to offer. So I need to realize that declining is not selfish, for how can I be healthy and give to other people when there is nothing inside of me?

Some of us always feel called to give. This can be dangerous: if we are always giving, we will soon be empty. What good is a seesaw that doesn't move? A Christ-like heart is giving, but is prompted by the will of God, rather than the need to be liked or needed by others. Christ spoke to crowds and ministered to his disciples and other individuals, but also found time to recharge alone in prayer.

Look at James 2:26 — "Faith without works is dead." Where most people interpret this verse as a call to demonstrate God's love through giving, I also see it as a call to be centred, to be balanced, and to find ourselves, or we will have nothing to give when God calls us to do so. We cannot enter into relationship with everyone, so we must ask ourselves whether this is God's will, or our own vanity and need to be affirmed, that drives us to keep giving.

Prayer: Father God, we pray that you will fill us with assurance, for we do not need the affirmation of others. Instead, enable us to give according to godly love, which is an unlimited reservoir, rather than our own, which is earthly and limited. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 – May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (NIV)

I stand at the top of the stairs that lead into the park. The stairs are perched on the top of a hill that overlooks a valley. At the base of the valley is the Saskatchewan River, a blue-grey rush this late spring evening.

The funny thing is that even though I know the river is there, both intellectually and physically, I cannot see it. My view of the valley is obscured by tall trees that grow closely together, their branches spread and intertwined with each other, covered with budding leaves. Through their labyrinthine branches, I can glimpse only patches of the opposite hill, also populated by trees that are on the cusp of their annual first flower. However, I know that if I were several feet above the branches, I would have a clear, unimpeded view of the entire valley — a God's-eye view.

It seems so much like my present situation in life. I have so many options, so many paths in front of me, now that I have graduated. But where will each path lead, and which path should I follow? The answer is blocked by the trees obscuring my view. However, it is so comforting, and so true, that God sees above it all. He is above all the hills and valleys; he sees all paths and routes. And if perchance I should stray into a dead end, He will shine the light to guide me home.

Prayer: Father God, you are the all-knowing creator of the universe. You have a plan for each and every one of us. We pray that you will guide us on the right path, and protect us from the dead-ends of life. Amen.

It is half-past midnight right now, and I am still working on several papers as I write this devotional. The past few weeks have been incredibly stressful and emotional for me as I prepare for final exams and graduation in June. I don't know why this year is so much more stressful than the last — perhaps it is the fear of the unknown. School is a haven for the confused. The only worries one has are when one's deadlines for papers and projects are, but the real world scares most students to death.

While juggling academics, there is also the niggling fear of loss of social life. That is another stress of student life, trying to find time to develop friendships that support and heal. I find myself often placing my priorities in the wrong order; my spiritual life is rarely at the top.

I realize now that when we do not place God first, we lose our sense of focus, and our sense of self. I need to refocus the lens of my heart and soul on Jesus. He is our Northern Star, our lodestone, and our foundation. That is why the Christmas season is crucially important. It reminds us of the reason we are here. It teaches us the meaning of life, which so many lost people ponder on campus. It shows us that there is so much more in life than worrying about deadlines and studying for exams; there is living — to please our God.

Prayer: Father, search us and know us. When we lose focus, and stumble on the narrow road, provide us with support and comfort. As we reflect upon our celebration of Christmas, and as the New Year approaches, bless us all, and infuse the Holy Spirit within — light the fire again! Amen.

A few short weeks ago, we were discussing "passion" in our Bible study group. The question was raised, "What is passion, anyway?" Is it an emotional high — the feeling you get when you meet that special someone, or the longing you feel in your gut when you see a shiny Harley Davidson, or a deep sense of servitude towards God — what exactly is passion? Many ideas were thrown about in our group, and the general consensus was that passion was an intense devotion, and with regards to our faith, focused on God.

After the Bible study, I remembered an art history class I took a few years ago, where I saw many Renaissance paintings centred on the Passion of Christ. All the paintings depicted Jesus on the cross, and his expression was of despair and agony. What was the passion they were basing their masterpieces on?

I found out that an obsolete meaning of "passion" is "suffering", but still, what caused Jesus to endure endless hours of suffering, pain, degradation, and both physical and spiritual agony? What caused him to give up his life on the cross for us? The answer is his boundless, unconditional love for us — his passion for us.

This Christmas season, let us celebrate his wondrous birth with his ultimate purpose in mind. Ultimately, Jesus was born into our world an innocent babe, to save us all — to give up his life on the cross 33 years later. Because of his passion for us, we now have the choice to spend eternity in heaven. The day Jesus was born was the day it was heralded to the world — the promise of passion.

Prayer: Father God, we thank you so much for giving us Jesus. By your grace, He was born 2000 years ago so that we could be saved. Thank you for the deep passion you feel for us, and for the promise of eternal life in your presence. Amen.

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a doctor. However, as the years go by, it just seems that my dreams are farfetched. In an attempt to find out whether or not medicine is the route for me, I applied to do medical research for the summer a few months ago. I was deeply discouraged because I knew my marks were too low, but I applied anyway. I had already resigned myself to take courses during the summer, when the doctor I applied for research with offered me a summer job, subsidizing me with his own research grants! My life is so blessed, my cup overflows!

It isn't medical school, but it definitely is a step towards that goal. This gift just leaves me completely humbled, with a deep sense of the undeserved, a gift that you never expected, and something you definitely could never earn.

When we're discouraged, and we feel that God is not answering our prayers, we can know that God works in His time, and according to His purpose. He will show us the way, and open a window when the door is shut. So don't lose faith that He is working in your life!

Prayer: Father, we thank you so much for your many blessings. Help us not to lose hope even when nothing seems to be going our way. Help us to have faith, and trust that You will lead. Amen.