BALANCE

We have probably all seen the tight rope walkers balancing on a thin wire, even walking across Niagara Falls, or between high rise buildings. Or gymnasts doing flips on a narrow beam, or on bars or rings. Amazing control of balance, and admirable to watch.
Balance – an admirable trait
But by perception, to a fallen planet, and amongst the fallen human race, not so common as it should be. Instead, im-balance would seem to be virtually the norm, and by observation many people convey some degree of im-balance in their lives – be it in the live / work ratio, sport, music, eating or drinking. As humans we all seem prone to excess, to extreme behaviour or habits, to im-balance in various degrees across all areas of living and that which occupies our time and efforts.

One of my earliest memories of a certain mature christian was the balance he conveyed between the spiritual and the natural, that so impressed and fascinated me. How did he achieve such, I wondered ? What was his secret of attaining balance amongst all the many facets of life ? And that has been a constant lifetime search and a personal mission for me (and still a 'work in progress' I must add)

Scripture conveys that we are really 3 persons in 1 - SPIRIT, SOUL & BODY
1 Thessalonians 5 : 23 Not the other way around as often quoted - Body, Soul and Spirit - but notably reversed in scripture !
Scripture puts the emphasis on the SPIRITUAL ( not the religious – big difference !)
We are eternal Spirits temporarily housed in a body, as sojourners and pilgrims - just a passing through to our eternal residence !

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit Hebrews 4 : 12

The best differentiation between the three that I have read says
SPIRIT GOD consciousness awareness of the spiritual realm
the Holy Spirit's leading and guidance
SOUL SELF consciousness
the seat of the WILL, the Emotions, the MIND, the affections
BODY WORLD consciousness through the 5 senses

The SPIRIT
The secret is of course, that the spiritual part of us is only an impartation after what Scripture calls being 'BORN AGAIN' The spiritual re-birth, being 'born from above' And this only by the Spirit of God after a direct and personal encounter with the Saviour – as Jesus advised Nicodemus John 3 or Saul / Paul in Acts ??
Until this impartation happens we are but 'natural' people, without any spiritual understanding at all. And this is the trap for 'religious' people like Nicodemus of old – a religious leader yet totally blind to spiritual things !

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14
what a test for us to note !

The SOUL
Ah ha - the all important and vital WILL - the SELF, the EGO
that needs to be surrendered to GOD ... continually, daily

Jesus ..... Oh My Father... not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39

Jesus said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

SELF DENIAL - a forgotten concept in these days - the daily and constant surrender of our will to that of others and to God amidst our daily routine and circumstances – as the Bishop of Durham once said “a crossing of personal preference in very little things, accumulation of duties, unwelcome distractions, unexpected interruptions – let hem be occasions of death to the old self-spirit, take them up in acceptance and submission”
There are only 2 Masters ...
We are either serving GOD or S E L F ... and Self is a hard master !

The greatest sins are PRIDE and SELF ishness
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves ... without self-control ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1-5

The BODY
I recall hearing of a person who traced Jesus movements around Judea, and walked them over again exactly as per Jesus timetable, and who commented “Jesus must have been fit, he spent so much time out-doors and walking between various villages in all weathers, he must have been a quite rugged outdoor type of person”

bodily exercise profits a little 1 Timothy 4:8
and some one said that that “little ” is worth having !

To my observation, the secret is to work into ones daily routine, whatever exercise fits into our unique lifestyle. (For me its an early morning 30 – 40 min walk, that has been a 45 year habit) Better that a spasmodic burst of enthusiasm and exercise , that eventually wanes, and then reverts back to the usual.
To find a regular activity or exercise that fits and suits us is precious.

Then there's DIET - we are what we eat ! 'Or what eats us' someone said
'Rubbish in - rubbish out' is the Computer maxim, and so also for our bodies.
Even vehicles run better on clean high octane fuel !
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:32

The spirit and soul must needs have somewhere to dwell in - to reside !
The body is refered to as the Temple of God - HE dwells within us !
do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6: 18-20

a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:5

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; Wow
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5 : 23

We have a high and holy calling to walk worthy of Hebrews 3;1

And then there's our PRIORITIES that are needful for balance of lifestyle.
It only took me some 45 years of living and some 25 years after being born-again, to give this some thought, to get it sorted out and make a few radical re-adjustments to my attitudes. To stop and consider, just what were the correct priorities for a professed follower of the Lamb, a disciple of Jesus the Christ ?

In what order did all that I was involved in fit together ?
What was the correct ‘balance’ to all the many and varied facets of life that I had to fit into each and every day ? I was a husband, father, grandfather, employer, neighbour, friend, business associate, consultant, counseller, confidant, teacher, to my circle of relatives and associates, as well as having hobbies, sports interests, and needing times of healing, recovery and relaxation.
So, about 2 months after starting to ponder the proper order of my various activities, I arrived at the following list of priorities

Firstly God He just has to come first
Our Creator and heavenly Father,
Our main aim must be to do His will

Secondly My wife My God given life-long partner
Her welfare was my paramount responsibility

Thirdly My children Until they reached adult hood

Fourthly My career / occupation,
To provide materially for my family and I

Fifthly My health, sport, hobbies, recreation times
To keep healthy and fresh

Then My local Christian group and fellowship

And Other People interspersed the while
but never upsetting the order

Having got this order finally sorted out, I happened to turn on to Derek Prince on the radio, and heard him say “well most everyone knows the correct order of our priorities, which are .... ” and then he repeated my list almost word for word.

Where had I been for my adult life ? and likewise, most of the Christians that I had previously met.

Surely having wrong priorities is the simple reason that so many Christians have blatantly unbalanced lives and attitudes. The insidious fact is that Christians allow local Church activities, Church and religious programmes, and other supposed Church needs to get out or order or to creep up the list into second or even into the very first place - when what the minister says over-rides what the Holy Spirit is trying to say to us, when religious activity supersedes hearing and obeying the voice of the Shepherd.

“My sheep hear My voice, and they follow ME” says Jesus John 10 : 27

Ah ... to seek to find and adjust towards ... a balanced life ... how wondrous !