The Perfect Balance
Dave Faust
I know only one person who can ride a unicycle, and he's 68 years old. Maybe by the time I'm his age, I'll learn the secret of keeping my balance. Football players need balance to make a perfect block, tackle, or kick. Orchestras need a proper balance of sound. Good health requires a well-balanced diet. Beautiful paintings blend color and shape in proper proportions. Is it any surprise that God desires balance in our lives?
Divine Symmetry
God created balance in the universe. The earth rotates on its axis at exactly the right speed, angle, and distance from the sun. The moon is the right size and distance from the earth to exert the right gravitational pull on the tides (and to create the right romantic climate for lovers). The proportion of oxygen in the earth's atmosphere is balanced just right to sustain life.
God designed balance in the human body. Think how many parts of the body come in twos: two eyes for seeing, two ears for hearing, two nostrils for smelling, two hands for touching, two lungs for breathing, two legs and two feet for walking. There's only one heart, but its pumping chambers are marvels of symmetry with auricles and ventricles synchronized to function with amazing harmony. There's only one brain, but its right and left hemispheres control different aspects of human behavior with remarkable balance.
God inspired balance in the Scriptures. "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself," warns Proverbs 26:4. The next verse, however, urges, "Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes" (v. 5). Wisdom is found in the balance—knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Scripture says to love and honor parents, spouse, and children (Ephesians 5:22–6:4); yet Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). Wisdom moves us to honor our dear ones, while loving Jesus most of all. Which are we to do—bear one another's burdens, or carry our own load (Galatians 6:2, 5)? Work out our own salvation, or trust God to work in us for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12, 13)? Exercise faith, or do good works (James 2:14-26)? The answer lies in the balance.
God wants balance in the church. Should the church be known for truth or for love? Both! Truth is the skeleton—the structural core that holds the body together. Love is the network of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle that gives feeling, flexibility, and movement to the body. By "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), we uphold God's standards and experience his grace.
What Will It Take?
A balanced life requires us to set boundaries, refuse to over-extend ourselves, and find the courage to say "no." But it also means saying "yes" to new adventures of faith. To some observers, a devoted Christian's life will always appear unbalanced. Give generously of your time and money to support the Lord's work, and some will call you a fanatic. Rearrange your work schedule to spend more time with your family, and some will call you a fool.
Jesus is the only one who ever got it completely right. Even as a young man he "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52)—a perfectly balanced life. What will it take for us to be more like him?
This column first appeared in The Lookout on Sep 7, 2003.
The People We Meet
What individuals do you encounter in a typical day? Some are strangers with whom you have little in common. Others have familiar faces, but the relationship never moves beyond polite exchanges. “How’s it going?” “Fine.” But what worries them? What dreams are they pursuing? What hurts are they enduring? What questions are they asking?
The Personal Touch
The personal touch used to be commonplace. Doctors made house calls. Professional athletes mingled with fans and signed autographs without complaint and without charge. Family members spent hours together in the kitchen, cooking meals and baking bread. Not only did you know your bank teller by name; you could even call your congressman and he would talk to you on the phone. Service stations were staffed by service-givers who would fill up your car with gas, check the oil, and wash your car's windshield.