Spiritual Balance

What's on my mind today? Balance! There are all types of balance and most of the time we think of balance as all things being equal. So, when we discuss wanting or needing to have a balanced life, we are actually stating that there is some element of our lives that is getting neglected or perhaps, too much attention. In music, balance refers to deference given the melody of a song in order for it to have clarity and prominence in the musical phrase. If the melody is in the left hand of the piano piece and my right hand is playing too loudly, there is no balance. If the altos have the melody and the sopranos are too loud (which never happens, btw!), there is no balance. 

In the gym today, there was a woman next to me doing various upper body work with weights while balancing on one leg - on a BOSU ball!! (round on the bottom with a platform on top) My inner voice wanted so badly to tell the trainer that I'd like to do that someday!! My inner voice DID whisper to me "I WILL do that someday!" I used the BOSU ball to assist with some burpees today. The challenge of 'spreading' my weight across it was a lesson in trusting myself to make the moves required so that I wouldn't fall over. I will avoid falling at all costs and so I sometimes limit my movement in order to avoid a fall. The more I had to face the balancing, the easier it got - except for the energy expenditure over time - then, of course, it wasn't so easy - but you get the point. It is when I face the balance challenge, learn what is required, and keep repeating the learned effort, THEN I gain comfort and find a new sense of balance.

When I was in Israel last month, the tour company provided a hearing device called a 'Whisper.' The device has a neck-strap attached to the transmitter with an earpiece that fits over the ear. Our group could wander some 100-200 ft before being out of range of our guide. (I'll have to admit it was pretty strange being in the ladies room and hearing the guide through the earpiece...just sayin! lol) The Whisper was a great tool for touring. I could have a sense of independence and yet still be connected to the guide. There was freedom to move around and not miss any of the important information given. On more than one occasion, I thought - 'hey, this reminds me of being connected to God and God whispering in my ear. A gentle prompting as I go about my day - God is near - reminding me of his presence and word just for me.' 

Today, I was discussing with a friend that sometimes the voice we hear in our ear is not the voice of God. You can refer to it however it suits you, but it's the voice that says 'you aren't good enough, you don't try hard enough, this is not your gift - so why are you trying to do this, you don't deserve this goal you are attempting, it won't work, ...and the list goes on.' Whatever you choose to call this voice, what I know to be true is It's Not God talking. Whatever your struggles, the negative talk that surfaces within you is not of God.

God is the big cheerleader - the Encourager - the TRUTH - loving, supportive, the great reminder of you being created in God's image! What strikes me as balance in this situation, and what my aim is right now, is for the voice of the Holy Spirit to become so prominent in my head and heart that the 'other' voice can no longer be heard. To me, that is a part of spiritual balance! And that's what I'm after! To recognize the difference between the two voices immediately and seek to make the adjustment - to lean toward the Holy Spirit's voice and not the other.

On that BOSU ball today, I realized I was thinking more about what NOT to do than what TO do. I think this is a good approach on how to gain balance when listening to the voices inside us. I need to recognize the 'other' voice for what it is and then lean AWAY from it. Over time, I will more easily hear the Whisper of the Holy Spirit as the TRUE voice - the voice of my Maker and Comforter!

Finding our balance, in all areas, is a process. And the technique for balance is different for each area. I am thankful for the specific ways in which God reveals his presence to me and uses my everyday encounters to teach me about his love and care for me and my life. I'm thankful that God does whisper to me and that as I continue on the journey, God will help me recognize more quickly the 'other' voice so that I don't suffer from listening to it and can make the adjustment to learn to more readily hear the Voice of Truth as the Prominent Voice - the Holy Voice - the God Whisper!! Ah - Sweet Balance!! God Balance!!