Yesterday, I had to balance on a foam tube. It was an interesting exercise which involved lying down with the tube extending along my spine. I was then told to stretch my hands out from my sides and rock back and forth on the tube, trying all the while to stay horizontally parallel with the ground. It was rather difficult. ☺
Balance is the key. Apparently, it’s what helps the core muscles flex and strengthen. The core is the body’s center of gravity, so as I stretched out to either side gravity would begin to pull me down. In order to stay parallel, I had to flex muscles only God knew I had (they sure aren’t visible). It wasn’t an easy exercise, but if I keep it up the end result will be a strong core and center of gravity.
Spiritually speaking, balance is also one of the keys to having a strong core and center of gravity in every Christian’s life. Ephesians 4:11-14 says,
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
As a pastor and teacher, I function much like a physical therapist. I have a responsibility to teach others how to strengthen themselves in Christ and to find balance in their walk with God.
There are many fads, teachings and exploited scriptures out there that tend to pressure a person in one direction or the other losing their center of gravity. A good example might be the prosperity gospel or unconditional submission to abusive authority. It’s easy to get pulled in to these teachings all the while losing the balance of scripture. Difficulty arises when nuggets of truth are selfishly twisted and appeal to the fleshy forces of gravity. It’s against such forces we resist and pull back to the scriptures holding fast and balancing our lives upon the truths therein.
Scripture serves as our center of gravity. Learning it in context gives us balance. Balance makes us strong. Strength keeps us from being “tossed back and forth and blown around” in our faith. This is a firm foundation in Christ, through grace, which then qualifies us to teach others.
Paul says it this way in 2 Timothy 2:1-2,
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”