BALANCING LIFE'S ROLES

Gibbs presents a meditative biblical exploration of the various roles that Christians navigate in their daily lives.

This book originated in a Bible class that the author taught in 1989, which he says revealed to him how common it is for people to struggle with compartmentalization. Attempts to divide one’s time into neat categories—work, family, church—can leave some people feeling disconnected from their purpose. In the first part of this two-part manual, Gibbs identifies and dissects the various roles that a Christian may be called on to play; his examples include the neighbor, the citizen, and the person who is enslaved to sin or righteousness. Others are relational: the spouse, the parent, the child, the retiree. He introduces each archetype with relevant quotes from Scripture and fleshes them out with practical scenarios, enriched by stories or historical context. Gibbs asserts that these roles are not separate lives, but expressions of a single, God-centered life. The book’s second part shifts to his explanations of the attributes that one needs to live one’s roles dutifully and well. They include goal setting, discipline, courage, and prayer, among other qualities. These later chapters aim to serve as inspiration and to equip readers with spiritual tools to maintain balance and faith, despite life’s pressures. Over the course of this book, Gibbs’ tone is appealingly teacherly and pastoral, and his text is both earnest and approachable. His sermonic style is steeped in Scripture and deeply traditional in its worldview. Its overarching theme—that biblical wisdom applies to every aspect of life, not just “spiritual matters”—is clear and consistent, but never feels excessive, in part due to the book’s brevity (a succinct 90 pages). Some may find the prose workmanlike, or the cultural references dated, such as references to TV Guide, but its sincerity and spiritual clarity shine through. For fellow Christians seeking guidance on living in accordance with Scripture in every role they play, this book offers a quiet beacon.

An earnest book for Christian readers that shines a light on elements of a good life.