Balance

Over the many years of my Christian walk I’ve had the privilege of being pastored by several men that I admire greatly and hold in very high esteem. Being very careful not to touch God’s Anointed, I want to point out a key word in that previous sentence, the word “men”.  Man, in its singular form, is a flawed creature, born in sin shapen in iniquity. Born behind an 8-Ball so to speak, having the burden of our species’ sins placed upon us at conception.  Coming into the world with a debt of sin that can only be washed away by the Blood of God’s Spotless Lamb. 

Men will always be men, subject to failures and mistakes as everyone is. Pastors, preachers, teachers, song leaders, ushers, deacons, you name it are all people and people fall down. 

The thing that allows us to stand upright, by God’s design is balance. Without balance we are awkward, clumsy, battered, bruised or even dead.  Balance to function completely in an upright position is a separating factor between humans and most animals.  Opposable thumbs and the capacity for abstract thought are a couple other defining factors as well, but I digress.
Balance is important.
Chemically there is a fine line between inert and explosive, grape juice and wine, life and death.
Balance is foundational to survival.  Part of our survival will be in realizing that we are flawed, but also in forgiveness, and allowing ourselves and others a chance at redemption. Don’t be so quick to write yourself off, and don’t give up on a leader who doesn’t always measure meet your expectations. Balance.

Oxygen in our atmosphere is the perfect blend for carbon based lifeforms. 20.8% of the air you breathe in is oxygen. Below 19.5% and you’ll notice your breathing become more labored and a list of other symptoms ending with death if the level is low enough. Above 23.5 you’ll feel nauseous, your vision can change, eventually leading to rapidly accelerating combustion or an explosive atmosphere. Balance.

Now, let me say that there is no such thing as being too close to God. We can never serve Him too much or even partially become worthy of His Love.

We can fall way short in our devotion and we can also become so dogmatic in our expectations, usually of others that, in our opinions, no one can be saved. Balance.

The Bible is true, of no private interpretation, and is the complete field guide for getting out of this world alive.
It doesn’t need my defense, it doesn’t really need my explanation and it certainly doesn’t need my input. Mankind has been given all the knowledge needed to please God and survive. Balance.

Balance is the whole gospel, not the convenient gospel, not your abridged or expanded gospel. It’s the whole gospel, no more, no less. Balance.

I often say that God’s plan does not require my understanding to be successful, only my participation.

In todays troubling world of uncertainty and confusion we must learn to balance what’s in our heads with what’s in our hearts. As Christians we are always working, striving toward a spiritual goal. That goal requires us to depart this world for the next. At the same time we struggle in our minds with fear, worry, doubt, and on and on I could go. Our spirit knows that we must eventually go beyond the present to win, but our minds can only grasp what we’ve seen and know. Our homework assignment is to learn to Balance our mind and spirit in the Holy Ghost. Train our thoughts through prayer to understand that we are binary creatures, temporal fleshly, but eternal spirit.