How To: Live a Balanced Life
This season in the church calendar brings us an opportunity to look at the life of Christ and ask, “how can I embrace a Christ-like lifestyle?”
While 21st Century America and first-Century Palestine hardly resemble each other, there are numerous principles you can extract from how Jesus lived and apply them to your life today. One could write exhaustively on the subject, but for this month’s “How to Series” our focus is on living a balanced life. Where better to look for answers than scripture and the life that Christ lived on this earth?
While 21st Century America and first-Century Palestine hardly resemble each other, there are numerous principles you can extract from how Jesus lived and apply them to your life today. One could write exhaustively on the subject, but for this month’s “How to Series” our focus is on living a balanced life. Where better to look for answers than scripture and the life that Christ lived on this earth?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength,” said Jesus (Mark 12:31). Understanding that God has called us to learn how to steward each of these areas of our lives well and to love Him with every part of our being is a great place to start. Submitting your soul to the will of God begins a balanced walk with God.
“Scripture is very clear,” writes theologian Wayne Grudem, “that we do have a soul that is distinct from our physical bodies, which not only can function somewhat independently of our ordinary thought process (1 Cor 14:14, Rom. 8:16), but also when we die, is able to go on consciously acting and relating to God apart from our physical bodies.”
Acknowledging that we have souls is a decidedly Christian position. Marxism, Postmodernism, and even New Spirituality deny the very existence of your individual soul. However, a biblical worldview holds the soul as central to your being.
Reflecting this month on the submission of Christ to the will of his Father gives us a picture of balance that reflects God’s heart for each of us. “Not my will, but yours be done,” is the craving of every soul and yet the tension of every heart.
“Scripture is very clear,” writes theologian Wayne Grudem, “that we do have a soul that is distinct from our physical bodies, which not only can function somewhat independently of our ordinary thought process (1 Cor 14:14, Rom. 8:16), but also when we die, is able to go on consciously acting and relating to God apart from our physical bodies.”
Acknowledging that we have souls is a decidedly Christian position. Marxism, Postmodernism, and even New Spirituality deny the very existence of your individual soul. However, a biblical worldview holds the soul as central to your being.
Reflecting this month on the submission of Christ to the will of his Father gives us a picture of balance that reflects God’s heart for each of us. “Not my will, but yours be done,” is the craving of every soul and yet the tension of every heart.
Balance requires time for the heart and mind to quiet themselves from their constant babble. C.S. Lewis wrote, “We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” When was the last time you spent an hour in silence? Again the life of Jesus informs our own behavior. From 40 days in the desert to early morning escapes, we see Him often going, “off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
When you find yourself frazzled, you may need to take inventory of your life and ask yourself what’s at the root of your stress? Take some time to step away from all of the noise that surrounds us on a day-to-day basis. Spend time reading scripture and in prayer.
When you find yourself frazzled, you may need to take inventory of your life and ask yourself what’s at the root of your stress? Take some time to step away from all of the noise that surrounds us on a day-to-day basis. Spend time reading scripture and in prayer.
It’s essential through all of this to remember that our bodies are important to care for as well. If you’ve ever been to a Summit student conference, you know that we “work hard and play hard.” That’s why we have sports times and opportunities to get out of the classroom. We believe that caring for your mind and spirit are important and that caring for your body is important too! Take opportunities to go outside and enjoy God’s creation. Go on walks, find a sport you like, sit in the grass and play guitar, whatever it is that allows you to care well for the gift of your “self” that God has entrusted to you.
Just as important as time alone is, we also need community. We need people in our lives who will nurture us and with whom we can return the favor. This gives us opportunities for joy and growth that we can’t get alone. As a kid I loved the park. I’m old enough to remember when parks had teeter totters. This is an activity you just can’t do by yourself. Sometimes, life can feel like you’re sitting on a teeter totter all by yourself. A balanced life, and a fun playground for that matter, require others to join you. In his book Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.” It is a gift to live in community with fellow believers. Let us do as Christ instructed and “love one another as He has loved us…” (John 15:12-13) In order to live a balanced life, we should not walk alone.
Our Christian life requires practice as well. We need consistent practice in prayer, solitude, physical training, and community to excel. And remember, that the team here at Summit is committed to walking alongside you as we learn how to live a Christ-like and balanced life.
Our Christian life requires practice as well. We need consistent practice in prayer, solitude, physical training, and community to excel. And remember, that the team here at Summit is committed to walking alongside you as we learn how to live a Christ-like and balanced life.
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