How to Find Your Personal Balance
Balance, like humility, is illusive; when you think you’ve got it, you don’t.
I’ve always had a terrible sense of physical balance, and I “blame” it on my parents not letting me skate, ski, or take part in such sports. They were doing their best to protect me, but I know it was based on their own unfortunate, personal experiences and fears. I did give skating a try in college, but quickly gave up as I “wiped out” the guy who tried to teach me (and I had a huge crush on)! As an adult I have given up on attaining great physical balance, but I do see some direct parallels with spiritual balance.
Our little local Christian school makes an annual trip to the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice. Again this year we got a wonderful tour to learn more about the history and creative works of the famous cartoonist of the “Peanuts” comic strip. The museum staff even provided the kids with an art lesson in cartooning characters such as Charlie Brown and Snoopy. After our tour and a lunch break, the young and (a few) old took to the ice for some fun.
I noticed some similar reactions among the students as they instinctively practiced finding their balance on skates. Those who looked down at their feet, or at others passing by, were usually the ones struggling to keep their feet underneath them. The successful ones either looked in the eyes of the person helping them or ahead to where they were heading. I think there’s a lesson to be learned for all of us.
Balanced Personal Life
How many times have I tried to get my personal life in balance, but failed miserably because I was focused on myself and my weaknesses, instead of on God who promises to be our Helper? And yet, the world’s answer is for me to “pull myself up by my bootstraps,” and “dig deeper.” Unfortunately, the truth is that the harder we try to balance ourselves, the shakier our footing becomes.
The passage describing Peter walking toward Jesus on the water comes to mind. Peter did what is humanly impossible—until he shifted his focus off of Jesus and looked at the storm around him. His friends couldn’t save him, nor could he save himself; only the Lord could. I can only imagine what would have happened if he had yelled out, “Don’t worry, Master, I’ve got this! Give me time and I’ll figure it out myself!”
Rightly, he called on Jesus in his cry, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)
You and I don’t have to find our own balance; God will help us with that every day. No matter how crazy our lives might seem, we simply need to look at Him.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of this earth will grown strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
(Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)
GOOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
Featured Favorite Recipe: Strawberry-Pineapple Jam
Balancing the flavors of a little bit of crushed pineapple with the fresh strawberries is a great combination worth trying! It’s lovely on the Cream Scones, toast, or a PB & J.