Balance

The church in America today is lacking.  As a matter of fact, the church in America is very sick.  Now, I am not necessarily talking about spiritual sickness here.  Quite frankly, most people in the pews each week have vastly neglected one of the major gifts that God has put us in stewardship of: our bodies.  We have chosen the chair over the chin-up and the sofa over the smith machine.  Our bodies are important.  The body is mentioned 224 time in the Bible.  Here are a few ideas when it comes to the body and the Bible:

1.      We need the body to exist on this physical plane, that’s why God made it – Genesis 1:26-31

2.      Jesus recognized the body was a part of worship – Luke 10:27, Mark 12:30,33

3.      We cannot serve one another without the body – 1 Peter 4:10

4.      Jesus had a body and we are called the body of Christ – Matthew 26:26; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13,27; Colossians 2:16-23

5.      We will have resurrected bodies, we will not just be spirits – Philippians 3:21

Here are some other passages to look at concerning the body: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20; 2 Samuel 22:40; Psalm 18:39; 2 Kings 9:24 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.

God commanded the Israelites, in Deuteronomy 6:5, they were to love God with the whole of their being.  This included the heart, soul, mind and strength.  Love, an active verb, can only be shown though the actions of a person i.e. their body.  Therefore, when we are balanced in what we are doing, we are performing worship unto God.  God, in His infinite wisdom, made things in balance with each other at creation and still maintains much of that balance today.  Since everything should be in balance we as humans can use creation as a picture of what each area of our lives can be made into.

            A starting point for any look into fundamentals or methodology of any subject, whether it is religion, society, business, or sports, should always start with the body of the subject.  Without the body, the movement cannot be alive.  The body is the way for the internal to be expressed by the external so that one can observe the internal aspect of what another is willing to share by the expressions of the external.  One way to see this is through body language.  You can see how a person responds internally to their external experience by facial and body expression.

            In sports, the skill level of each person is not a matter of importance when based in the scheme of proper balance.  Physical defects or deformity will have a great impact upon the skill of the individual, but when balance in that student has been achieved within himself or herself, the individual has a greater potential to move the physical endurance up a notch.  Not every person can reach a physical balance.  This should not be a problem if the physical can be balanced with the soul, heart, and mind.  For when one has reached balance between all, each area of the person can still use some fine-tuning throughout the rest of his or her days upon this earth.  On this mortal plane each of us must remember that the body is linear and works best with linear movement.  To try and move within circular movements alone will break the balance within they physic.  Always the straight line will be the best way to balance a body.

The body must have a tight muscular structure to base movement upon.  Although we may not have the strongest or best looking muscles, life cannot be done without being able to have the ability to tighten muscles upon command.  This is a learned trait and must be taught at the very beginning of one’s path to balance.  If one does not commit himself to the learning of muscular structure, fatal injuries can occur that can damage soft tissue for the remainder of their lives.

Daily physical practice must be performed to keep the physic able to balance within itself.  Even the apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that he is able to keep his body physically fit, as much as possible, in order to be a leader to others.  Each day physical practice must be attained so that one may obtain physical balance.

The final area that is most often overlooked in the area of physical fundamentals is that of food.  A good consistent daily diet is necessary to maintain balance between the body, mind, emotions, and soul.  Without a balanced sustenance, the physical takes on disproportions that will inhibit anyone to do well in any area of life.  Not only will balanced diet help the one perform better, but also will also help in living a more balanced life.

            The mind, a picture of water, is a vast array of power if used correctly.  Like the body, which is based in the element of earth from which it came, the mind has the resources it needs within the essence of water.  Knowledge is critical in order to sustain life, for without knowledge, life ceases to exist.  The Bible tells us that the very beginning of knowledge is found in having a proper respect of God (Proverbs 1:7).

            In the realm of the philosophy rests the fundamentals of what balance can be achieved properly.  The road to that balance or harmony in one’s self will take paths hereto unforeseen.  Each one who follows that path will be confronted along the way by their own personal “demons”.  As knowledge grows, so will the mental strength to defeat all who will stand against the path-taker, however; for that to take place, proper meditation must become a habitual practice.  In Joshua 1:8, the Bible tells us to fill our mind with the word of God.  Scripture memory is vital to true biblical meditation.

            When performing, practicing, or participating in life, one must have the essence of the mind consistent all the way through, that is focus.  To achieve true focus one must first have an understanding of what focus is and how it can be achieved.  Like all things relating to this realm of water, focus can have formidable power as of the crashing waves or be as tranquil as the hidden pond.

            True focus is a paradox and therefore hard for most to accept and/or understand.  Unfortunately, this is why, though most strive to do well, many never achieve what they have the potential to truly attain.  The definition for true focus is found in

Hebrews 12:1-2, which says:

¹Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

            The writer of Hebrews had true focus down to a science.  No matter who is in the crowd watching.  No matter what has happened earlier.  One must always be aware of what is taking place around them at all times.  The runner depicted in this passage laid aside the sins that were a hindrance, but at the same time was fully aware they were to the side.  Next, he fixed his eyes.  Determination of the mind can be seen in the countenance.  Strong eyes are a basic need for true focus.  One must know where the opponent is, but also what is before, behind, beneath, and to the sides of him; so that balance may always be in effect.

            So then, true focus is:  fixing the senses on what is before you, but not to the extent that you lose sight of what is around you.  Like water, if it leaves the main body to try and erode the earth and stone on its own, air or fire may cause it to evaporate.  Therefore, when focused do not become unbalanced by putting to much into the mind or body, but stay alert to keep the whole in balance and achieve the goal before you.

            Until one understands focus, knowledge is useless.  To know, but not do properly is a waste of talent, time, and teaching.  Knowledge is potential power.  Although a vast array of knowledge is necessary as one learns more, one must always keep the mind under control.  An uncontrolled mind is like a flood that is destroying all that is in its path.  To have knowledge and use it improperly is a great stain upon the soul.  No longer should believers allow the culture of the day to diversely affect the learning of Scripture.  When one consistently craves knowledge, one will also be willing to share the knowledge with those behind him who are of the same spirit.  The point where one stops learning is the point where one dies, for without learning one stops growing.  If one does not grow, one is dead.

            Here is where one enters the realm of fire.  Passion, a burning desire, of the believer is needed to work out the problems of life properly.  A need to consume Scripture and make it a part of one’s self, to burn it into the realm of the mind so forever it becomes a part of the believer, shows the true desire to learn.  As one looks at this chaotic realm the question arises, “Can true balance be maintained?”  The answer is yes.

            The way life is structured is characterized by what God is trying to teach each individual.  Inside the Bible is the basis of what disciples of Jesus Christ should already know to defeat a foe or multiple foes.  What most fail to understand about Scripture is even though a pattern exists for the student of Christ to follow, the opponent may not always fall inside that pattern.  Therefore, every believer must be ready to forge ahead outside the pattern in order to defend or attack the gates of hell for The Cause of Christ. 

            The current thought culture in the western hemisphere to defend one’s self is correct until one comes into contact with the opponent at which point the perpetrator finds an advocate that will litigate the victim and has a good chance of winning.  Although in Christendom many will cry “turn the other cheek,” all these thoughts and trends are “bogus” and not in the true nature of Christianity or freedom.

             Just as an ember pulses with the flame, so the fire within follows the pulses of the emotion and heart.  Knowing this, one should always be aware what types of emotions are currently building within so that implosions can be avoided.  Do not try to have a constant bonfire glowing within the heart consistently, otherwise all fuel will be consumed and one will burn out.

            The fuel that one should use is the fuel of knowledge, training, study, consistency, and determination all given and experienced in the power of the Holy Spirit.  When properly balanced all these traits will give the believer assurance that the life they attempt will be done to the standard of excellence from the first step through to the end.

            How does one train a soul?  For is not the soul free?  Formed in the image of God (Gen. 2:7), the soul takes on characteristics of good and, since sin entered the world, evil (Gen. 3:5).  Knowing this, the training of the soul will be difficult.

            How does one focus on the intangible and form it into something that one can fathom?  Moving into the realm of the soul, whose elemental counterpart is the air, we must look to the One who made the soul to answer the questions of things we cannot see.  Without the internal the external cannot exist, for as humans we cannot understand the internal nor explain it rationally.  The eyes see, but do not understand, and the ears listen but do not hear.  As the prophets of old said, “O wicked and perverse nation, come to YHWH and find rest for the weary soul.”

            Vexed with questions, turn to the Savior for answers.   

John 3:8 states:

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going;

One can see the effects of the wind upon the world around us.  Listen to the music of the air upon the clouds as it whistles the day away in random movement.  But wait, the wind still has patterns that it follows; the same is true for the soul.           Born upon the soul of every man is a pattern of life or death.  Each person holds the decision of which path they will take.  Once decided, the choice determines how the soul will be trained.

            Love.  The word has lost so much meaning in the comeliness of the English language.  Love is an action verb.  One cannot say he loves hamburgers and then never eat them.  There are three different types of love.  Let’s take a look at them.

            The first is agape love, which is a self-sacrificing love.  This love should be found in those whom claim the name of Christ and have learned balance in the other three areas already discussed.  The one who gives himself totally into any other activity he/she is involved in will gain the most benefit from it.  This type of person is very rare.

            Phileo is the second type love.  This refers to a person-to-person or friendship type of love.  This love should be expressed within the continuity of the church.  A pastor can phileo his congregations and the congregation the same to each other.  Thereby, is built the mindset of team in each person as well as the idea of a family type community inside the church’s life.

            The third type of love is an eros or physical love toward someone or something.  This is not a bad thing.  The one who desires to perfect his life makes life come alive.  He shows life in his daily living to where the eye is drawn not to the person himself, but to the One who created the soul of the artist.  Some deign to show the speed of life, others the power, while others the beauty.  A balance between these is essential.

            While each basis of love is by itself a needed part of life, the combining of all three, balanced properly, will take one to the heights of his/her potential.  If one can give of himself fully to the love of God to the point of engulfing himself and giving of himself not only to Him, but also to neighbor to share his love, then the true love of God is attained.

            The final trait that must be taught is that of character.  This is the hardest of all to teach.  Character, it has been said, is what you are and do when you are by yourself.  If a person decides to live a sensual lifestyle and not commit their ways to be holy, this is who they are.  Character is taught through actions.  As much as the church talks about being self-righteous, when caught in sin, how will the person react?  Sin has been the downfall of many great men and women.  People are always ready to follow a good leader, but when the leader falls the crowd either falls with them or disperses.  In teaching character, leaders need to show the people how to stand on their own principles as learned through the Bible.  Almost every decision in life can be run through the guidelines of Philippians 4:8.

            Although these principles should be taught in the home this is just not the case in today’s society.  Parents want their children to have discipline so they bring them to the church hoping this will instill in them some sense of morality.  It is not the job of church leaders or volunteers to be the parent of every child in the community, but to help be an extension of the home.  If this means taking on the job of a surrogate parent, then a word of warning to those people who make it their goal to change others:  People do not change unless they want to be changed.

Balance should be in the whole person in every part of their life.  The problem is that people look for balance in things instead of the One who gives good things to all.  If one desires balance, they must first come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  Once the balance of the soul has been maintained, then balance in other areas will be manifest.