12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 CSB)

My father used to always say to me, “All things in moderation.” He was not a man to dissuade me from experiencing life, but his view was to do so in with a close check on myself. This is not to say he did not teach me right from wrong. I knew, from an early age, the things that displeased my father and my Father. I had a keen sense of right and wrong that kept me in check.

However, as the years went by I realized that this piece of scripture should be heavily weighted toward the mastery portion. Even the things that are right (Permissible) for us to do can become our master.

I naturally wanted to have mastery in my profession, but, possibly too late realized it had a mastery of me. A company will take all you are willing to give. Looking back over my life I see that many times (most of the time), I gave it all I had. Meaning I had nothing left for my family or myself. Work ruled supreme in my life, and always has.

Most would see this as a positive thing, but it can become our master and we should only have one Master. I realize now that I let many other very important things in my life take a second seat to this all powerful need for mastery in my work.

There is a balance we must find between mastery and obsession. Otherwise we find ourselves, in our latter years, dealing with regret, health or family issues.