Balance
by Zeke Flores
Now, there’s a concept. The more we need it, the more out of reach it appears. For instance, our political views have become more extreme and polarized. People on one end of the spectrum scream and holler for their side, while those on the other end scream and holler for theirs. And while there’s room closer to the middle, neither side will budge. Even in business, there are different ways to view strengths and weaknesses. One camp advocates focusing on weaknesses to strengthen what is lacking, while the other camp says to focus on your strengths and not waste energy on weaknesses.
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day could have used a little balance. They went to extreme lengths to appear righteous and holy, even tithing the smallest of their spices. “Good job,” Jesus observed, “but you forgot about things like justice and the love of God. It would be good to remember all of it.” Pardon my own paraphrase of Luke 11:42, but I hope it captures the idea.
See, like the Pharisees -- and people on the political extremes -- we can look at one thing and measure our walk with the Lord by that description. “I attend all the services my church offers!” we might proudly proclaim. “I pray every day!” someone else might say. “I give a generous amount of money to the church’s work!” someone else might add. Wonderful. Great. Good for you. But what if we all did these things -- and more -- without letting anything fall through the cracks?
God has gifted us all with different strengths and potentials, but don’t fall into the trap of just focusing on what you do best. That’s the easy route. Do more. Do better. Balance. That’s the ticket.
"Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others" (Luke 11:42).