Inspire, Summer 2006

What is Balance? By Dr. David Mappes Associate Professor of Bible One recent study identifies the Millennial Generation (children born between 1982-2003) as a generation that insists on solutions to long-term problems and will insist on equilibrium. This generation is characterized by deeper family values and requires much more hands-on parenting and personal involvement. Recent studies also indicate that this Millennial Generation values parental oversight and influence more than the influence of their own peers. As Christians we applaud these societal shifts. However, with all of the increasing life challenges and obligations in our fast-paced culture, both exhaustion and burnout are major issues for believers to address. Balancing the Christian life is best understood as living a fully integrated Christian life. In the popular “Spiritual Formation” class in our Bible minor, we seek to assist today’s busy student in balancing his or her life through the practice of various spiritual disciplines (Bible study, prayer, journaling, meditation, etc.). Many times I will display a picture of the unbalanced Christian life and have students discuss the nature of the imbalance (see Figure 1). Students seek to rebalance this portrayal as they sketch in and prioritize their activities. Many students observe that the cross (representative of Christianity) should be placed in the largest circle, thus giving Christianity a greater priority. As we continue the exercise, students begin to understand the fatal error and flaw in this type of model. It is not fully integrated but rather compartmentalized. This type of compartmentalization allows one’s Christianity to be separate from certain areas of his or her life. So in this model one can think and act Christianly in one area but not another. Many times as believers we attempt to use various spiritual disciplines to readjust Christianity as just one of many important priorities. This entire model creates a type of spiritual dissonance leading to such spiritual failures as harboring secret sins, isolation, etc. After critiquing the compartmental model, we then create and practice another model which does represent a fully integrated life (see Figure 2, next column). The Christian balanced life recognizes that Christ should permeate every aspect of our lives. Paul emphasized this type of integration when he wrote in I Corinthians 8:6 that “there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” Paul is arguing that our identity with Christ and His ownership of us should permeate every aspect of our beings and lives. After surfacing this integrative model of spirituality, we then explore and practice various spiritual disciplines to help create balance. Such disciplines as Bible reading and prayer are crucial. The Scripture is foundational and defining of all other disciplines since Scripture is the very Word of God. Hence we spend many weeks teaching and modeling Bible study methods. Further we explore the controlling/filling ministry of the Spirit as described in Ephesians 5:18. Paul argues that as believers we are to allow God to manifest Himself through us in every area of life. As He fills (controls) us, God will then manifest His fruit in our lives which is identified as the fruit (or virtues) of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-26. The true test of balance involves consistent manifestations of the Spirit’s fruit in each dimension of our lives. As a class we address probing questions regarding the Spirit’s fruit in dorm life, dating relationships, vocational attitudes, etc. If one is walking with God, then the collective fruit of the Spirit will be manifested. As we discuss this area of balance we necessarily address how to respond to our own personal sin as well as the sin of others. We identify the two polar extremes mentioned in I John 1:6-10. These polar extremes involve either not acknowledging any personal sin or simply continuing to live in personal sin. John commands us to confess our sins. Balance then is re-established through intentional association with biblical local churches that live in true community as they pursue truth and godliness in every area of life, including confession of personal sin. Unfortunately some Christian cultures have either socialized sin (removing the heinousness of sin as an offense to God) or have so demonized sin that no atmosphere exists for confession out of fear of complete isolation. As believers we should seek to continually acknowledge the absolute and sovereign Lordship of Christ in every area of life as we strive together to serve Him. This is truly the integrated life. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figures 1 and 2 are from Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation by Kenneth Boa, 2001, p. 222. Inspire 15