One of my daughters is learning how to drive. She’s in that stage where she still over-corrects sometimes. She’ll pull out into an intersection, steer too far into the lane she’s headed for, then jerk the wheel back to try to straighten herself out. We’re working on her driving smoothly and using small gentle corrections as she goes without needing to make harsh jerky moves in order to put her car back in the right spot. Her driving isn’t totally in balance yet.
That got me thinking.
We’re all so out of balance these days. Our society has gotten to where everyone has to be either lauded as a hero or punished and excoriated as a villain. There’s no balance in judgment. Everyone is “over-correcting.”
In order to not offend one group, we make jerky movements to put ourselves where we think we ought to be, and we wind up just making jerks of ourselves.
So how is a Christian supposed to keep that balance? How do we respond to a society that’s teetering wildly off balance in nearly every realm? How do I remain where I need to be?
I’m thinking of this in terms of how we teach a young person to drive. Use small, gentle corrections.
Christians need to be the ones who hold the wheel steady, not jerking it everywhere and weaving across lanes in an attempt to find the straight line again.
3 Scriptures to Find Balance in an Unbalanced World
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV
We need to keep our eyes on the basics. We are left on earth in order to glorify God. We cannot agree with everything or everyone around us, but we can disagree in a way that leaves the other person open to the gospel. We can glorify God even when we can’t agree with someone.
We can glorify God even when we can’t agree with someone. Click To TweetYe are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Matthew 5:13 KJV
We need to actively be the salt of the earth. Continue to help people feel thirsty for God. Continue to be the reason someone looks to God for help. Leave people wanting to learn more about God for themselves. Because balance requires peace, and peace can only be found in God.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace
1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV
We need to offer grace. We need to be the illustration of how God offers grace to us. Be the one in the room who allows for the humanity of others, the one who remembers we are all guilty of something. Offer a way for others to save face, to walk back their offensive words or behavior, to allow for redemption. Be the one who advocates for understanding and forgiveness where possible.
Let’s be the people who remind everyone that to God, humanity is divided in to only two groups – those who believe in Jesus Christ, and those who do not. Both groups are sinners, both groups are loved by God. There is plenty of room on God’s side, and everyone is welcome.
Be the invitation that someone needs to bring them to Christ, because only through Christ is there real balance.
Humanity is divided in to only two groups – those who believe in Jesus Christ, and those who do not. Both groups are sinners, both groups are loved by God. Click To TweetYour Turn
Are you struggling to find balance so as not to offend anyone? How can you focus on the basics, be the salt of the earth, or offer grace to someone today? We’d love to hear your comments below.
This is a good encouragement, Sherry, “Be the invitation that someone needs to bring them to Christ, because only through Christ is there real balance.”