Balance - Part II

Yesterday I mentioned that balance is my favorite word and how important it is in the world around us.  Today I want to look at balance in relation to us and to God.

Unfortunately, balance is not natural for humans or for society.  We tend toward im-balance.  Toward extremes.  Going off on a tangent.  It is something that everyone of us has exhibited in at least one area of our lives.  For some people their whole life is marked by imbalance.

 
People tend to be imbalanced in their eating, alcohol consumption, talking, work, time management, recreation, political & religious views, and just about every other area.  On a larger scale we find that nations tend to be imbalanced - pursuing policies of extreme involvement or isolationism.  Liberty or legalism.  Nationalism or globalism.

The problem is that lack of balance is not good for us.  Lack of balance can cause harm (even in that which is otherwise good).  Too much or not enough sun.  Too much or not enough exercise.  Too much or not enough vitamins.  Too much or not enough sleep.  Too much or not enough discipline.  Again, the list is endless.

One would expect that God, being perfect, would be balanced.  And this is precisely what we see in Him.  First of all, we see that God displays balance in His character.  His justice is balanced by His mercy.  His immanence (nearness) is balanced by His transcendence (distance).  His anger is balanced by His love.  Secondly, we see that God displays balance within Himself.  Father, Son & Holy Spirit - all perfectly balanced.  No ego trips.  No power struggles.  No selfishness or pride.  Just perfect cooperation, respect and understanding.  All the time.

It should come as no surprise then that Jesus also exhibited balance in His life.  Jesus spent much time ministering to people.  He balanced that by spending time alone with the Father.  He balanced meeting the physical needs of people (healing, hunger, etc.) with meeting their spiritual needs.  He balanced the need for work (sending His disciples out to minister) with the need for rest (and pulling His disciples aside).

So, how should we feel about balance?  Well, if we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1) then we ought to also exhibit balance in our lives.  In Ephesians 5:18 we are commanded to be “filled with the Spirit”.  The Spirit of ‘balance’.  This is implied in Galatians 5:22-23 where one of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control.  No extremes.  No excesses.  No tangents.

Though God loves balance and it is the best thing for us, don’t expect everyone else to appreciate it.  Imbalanced people tend to judge us by whether we’re in their camp or not.  Liberal or conservative.  Legalistic or permissive.  Loving or judgmental.  Unfortunately I have found out over the years that if you are balanced you can get shot at by both sides.

That’s OK.  Balance beats extremism every day of the week.  It’s what we were created for.  It’s what God wants to see in our lives.  It is the key to usefulness.  Satisfaction.  Joy.

Lord, help me to be like You.  Balanced.  Balanced between work and rest.  Between ministry and family.  Between being ‘in the world’ but not ‘of the world’.  In those times when I get out of balance, speak to my heart and quickly bring me back.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.