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| Balancing ActFrom my hubby:
What is a balanced spiritual life?
I think the word “balance” is too often used as an excuse to avoid the uncomfortable, and I really can’t think of a single verse exhorting spiritual balance (many of them rather encourage the extreme).
Still I think the concept is biblical.
For me balance comes out of trying to reconcile opposing spiritual concepts. For example, I know that I am uniquely created, designed by God to fulfill certain functions that fit how I’m made. (Eph 2:10) I’m not to compare myself with others (2 Cor 10:12). I can relax and be just what God made me.
On the other had I’m to die to myself and be conformed to the image of Christ. (Mt 16:24-25, Gal 2:20, Rom 12:1-2) In other words, change. And there you have it. Be yourself but keep changing.
And here is how that works out practically for me.
A lot of my Christian life was spent in the “I gotta be me” camp. I primarily did things I liked and was good at.
Teaching came naturally. Bible study was interesting, and I was drawn to worship and prayer. I even had a couple spiritual gifts I understood and was comfortable with.
I was all set, pretty much only applying the “change” part to character growth.
Later, in an effort to be a better speaker, I decided to try something that it turns out I like, but am not good at: preaching.
On the up side, it only took one sermon for me to figure that one out. I have the emotional range of a cow.
I was content, having learned my lesson, to just continue being me, until God began to challenge me. There are some nonnegotiables in the bible we’re all supposed to do, regardless of our make up.
Like evangelism.
I really don’t like evangelism, even though it appears to be something I’m kind of good at. But God was expanding my idea of change.
He’s even stretched me into some things I don’t like and am not particularly good at, like outreach to
people for whom my experience and gifting seem inadequate. If He doesn’t show up, I’m pretty sure I can’t make much happen. Hmmm.
But in all of this changing, I’m still me. I evangelize according to my personality, not someone else’s formula. And balance doesn’t mean equal. I still pray more that I do Bible study.
What about you? No one can tell you what balance is for you except Jesus, the one who designed you. And here’s the ironic thing. To really be you, it can’t be about you. One of the quickest ways to get out of balance is to get your identity in what you do for God.
So just relax and follow His lead. He already has you all figured out.
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Years
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| Risky LoveFrom my hubby:
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)
Jesus didn't entrust himself to men, and He didn't worry about what they were going to say about Him, including His followers. (Rachel here: OH, to be like Jesus!)
In fact, because He knew what was in man, He knew that all men would betray Him; that when things were most difficult He would stand alone. Yet consider that no man has ever loved or served more than Jesus. And we are called to be like Him, to keep loving and serving people who keep betraying us. How do we do that?
"Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." (John 16:32) Love by definition is vulnerable. Each time we love we risk pain, and if we try to guard ourselves from pain, we can't really love. The only solution is the same one Jesus had - His connection with the Father.
We love men and are hurt, we are loved by Jesus and are healed, again and again. We don't have to trust men. But we have to keep loving and serving them. In this easily offended generation we can be different, un-offendable. We can keep taking hits and coming back with love, but only by His Spirit. It's a supernatural response. That's why it's so impressive. And that's how anyone can be a bright light in the midst of darkness.
By the way, while this is a great witness to unbelievers, the verses above are about believers. We have to do this in the church too, and sometimes that is more difficult.
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| A Day of SilenceA while ago, I decided to take a day of silence. Not speak. Shut the pie hole. Be still. Be quiet.
Tony
agreed to that Friday. Sort of a solem day before Fire Dweller. So, I
went to McDonalds that morning and slipped the cashier a note. "Diet
Coke."
She nodded, then started signing the alphabet.
What?
I shook my head, trying to answer, but was not getting what her fingers
asked. I pointed to my throat."Oh, okay," she said.
As I filled my cup, my heart was actually moved. She wanted to communicate with me in my language.
Anyway, as I sat and read, a McDonalds regular showed up. "Hi ya, Rachel."
So intent on reading, I forgot myself. I glanced up, "Hi Henry."
Ooops! Well, it was all over. His wife came around so I said hi to her and next thing I knew I was in deep conversation.
The Lord tapped my heart, "It's okay."
When I got home, Tony was sitting out back, "Well, that didn't work," I said, laughing.
But the Lord is gracious with do-overs, so I started my day of silence over.
I wrote notes to Tony if I had a question. Then, about 2:00 I came out of my office and said, "I think I'll eat something."
Tony asked, "Is the silence over?"
Ooops. I clapped my hand over my mouth, shaking my head.
Man, it was hard not to do something I do every day. Something science says I need to speak 250,000 of to feel normal: words.
I kept quiet until Fire Dweller.
I want to do it again. It was good to be still. Quiet. | | |
| What's in you?From my hubby:
I was reading Philemon, and verse 6 really jumped out at me.
"That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." I would like the sharing of my faith to be effective, and this verse says for that to happen I'm to acknowledge every good thing Jesus put in me.
Its not enough to just know Jesus is in me. I need to get specific. Sound arrogant? Now I'm not advocating listing your spiritual gifts on your business card, but the other side of the coin is to pursue a false humility that fails to acknowledge the very real abilities you've been given.
And the balance to both of these extremes is remembering it all comes from Jesus, not us.
So Rachel and I did this. The lists were longer than I'd have initially thought, and I didn't feel cocky at the end of the exercise. If anything I felt humbled, yet more confident. I think maybe that's how this verse works.
In embracing what gifts we've been given we gain courage to actually use them.
So what good things has Jesus put in you?
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