Balance. It can be such a “heavy” word. (Pun intended.)
2013 is looking like it could be a shake-up year– not in a bad way, but with a new (aka our first) baby on the way and 2,800 mile move per duty station change looming quickly there after, things could get interesting.
Perhaps you are facing a similar year. (Or had one of those last year.) We aren’t facing our future with fear– which we are thrilled about– but rather just awareness that this might not be easy.
However. It will be worth it. Of THAT we are confident!
As I was pondering the glory of God in the future (so excited!) the idea of “balance” kept resurfacing. This subconscious thought/concern with maintaining balance in our lives was brought to my attention as I was being coached for my spiritual leadership coaching certification by my dear friend Susan.
Between her and Jesus, I learned some pretty profound truths. And maybe, just maybe, they apply to you.
See, we are all faced with the world’s ideal of what “balance” truly is… Keeping everything in order, all things being equal. Minimizing changes, giving the same amount of time, dedication and heart to all things in our life. And usually we think of that in “small picture language” aka, what happens in a day’s time frame.
My heart concern was figuring out how to “balance” having a baby, moving across the country, all while still doing ministry, being a strong wife, a solid follower in Christ, getting back into shape etc, etc… However, Susan challenged me to redefine what “balance” really meant from a heavenly perspective.
And here’s what I came up with– or rather what Jesus revealed to me.
He gave me a couple of visual images… The first one I scribbled in my journal… then recreated on my iPad, freehand for purposes of this post. (Don’t judge my lack of artistic abilities. My forte is ministry and writing. Not DoodlePad drawing. 🙂 )
Now, before you completely check out per my terrible freehand skills, let me explain this image. It is a scale-balance thingymajig. On either side of the scale are the “things” and influencing factors in life… Specifics could be changing seasons, good (or not so good) circumstances, feelings, people, emotions– you get the picture. From a worldly perspective, we sometimes end up standing on either side, our hearts being driven by the circumstances or emotions. THAT is when we end up unbalanced.
But the image that God gave me was this: Those “sides” are always going to be bouncing up and down, moving all over the place. HOWEVER… That middle point of this scale (called the fulcrum, for all you physics/sciencey folks) is ALWAYS stable no matter what is going on at either end. God is to be my fulcrum. My word for 2013 is STAND… So if I stand on the fulcrum, I keep my balance. No. Matter. What. God is the foundation– and the SOURCE of true balance.
Pretty cool huh??
The other image He gave me was even simpler, yet just as profound. (Sorry, no freehand scribble for this one.) I saw a balance beam, like used in gymnastics. And in order to keep my balance, all I had to do was keep ahold of His hand. (He was my spotter.)
Talk about a redefinition of balance! Balance isn’t when all things are equal or treated the same or constant. Instead, it is when we are STANDING on a solid surface– like God as our fulcrum in the scales… Or holding His hand as we walk along the balance beam path He has laid out for us.
What is your definition of balance? Do you struggle with it in life? In what areas? How does this “new” definition of balance change your perspective? Be bold and let me know in the comment section below.
Here’s to keeping our balance with Him,
SGK
“Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.” ~Proverbs 16:11
