Choices change our lives…
By Barbara Dahlgren
Balance is a part of our daily lives. We want to eat a balanced diet, send our kids to schools with a balanced curriculum, and balance our check books. Balance holds us steady and allows us to cope with life. It keeps us healthy and happy.
Without balance we tend to go to extremes leading to terrible results. If we eat, eat, eat too many carbs, we get fat. If we work, work, work without rest, we get sick. If we spend, spend, spend without thought, we go bankrupt.
Unfortunately, we all have a tendency to be unbalanced. We think if a little of something is good then a lot must be better. That is not always true. Prescription drugs, medicinal herbs, or even trace elements might be helpful in moderation but too much could lead to illness or even death.
Just as there should be balance in our physical lives, there should be balance in our Christian lives as well. Zealous Christians don’t always understand this and have difficulty seeing the bigger picture.
This was an area of growth for Peter. At first Peter did not want Christ to wash his feet, until Christ explained, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.” Then Peter said, “Wash not only my feet but my hands and head, too.” (John 13:6-11) Peter also told Christ he would never deny Him, but he did. (Matthew 26:35, 69-75) Christ knew Peter didn’t fully understand certain things. Peter tended to be a bit of an extremist…and so do we.
After Peter grew in grace and knowledge, his statements became more balanced.
Unbalanced Christians go to extremes and miss the mark. For example, some devote their lives to diligent theological study and can debate doctrine with the most learned. However, they neglect to have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus and can’t apply scriptures to their daily lives. Others do just the opposite. They think all they need to do is pray, but they don’t study the Bible so they are swayed by every new idea that comes along. (Ephesians 4:14) They don’t know what they stand for.
Consider this… Balance does not mean compromising beliefs or being unsure of your faith, nor does it mean shoving spiritual understanding down someone’s throat with clever arguments.
Balanced Christians know how to combine Bible study with a Christ centered relationship so they can live life to the fullest. They know how to trust God. They know the Christian life isn’t an either/or scenario. They realize we need intellect and emotion, head and heart, form and freedom, plus grace and knowledge. (2 Peter 3:18)
Leading a balanced Christian life is important. Without balance, we fall – physically and spiritually.
One final thought… The key to keeping good balance is knowing when you’ve lost it.
