Imagine someone walking on a balance beam with a rope tied to each arm. On either side is someone holding the loose end of the rope. The two rope handlers’ job is not a tug-a-war but one of tension. The tension of the two opposing forces match each other to keep the person on the balance beam.
I have tried to apply balance to my life and encourage it in others. I have found that those who like to view themselves as radicals do not like the concept of balance. Balance sounds like compromise to the radical. I try to be very choosy on which mountains I am willing to die on; molehills are not mountains.
In our current world, everyone seems to be divided into two camps on many issues. Our country is divided into political, cultural, religious, and societal issues with very few clear balanced proposals. It seems that a line has been drawn in the sand and swords are drawn.
No one seems to be in the business of healthy tension to keep folks on the balance beam. Everyone wants to prove their strength and pull the person off the beam to prove who is right. The winner proves his strength but hurts the guy on the beam.
One of the problems with balance is the fact we must honestly consider both sides of an issue. Many people do not want to entertain a thought from the other side. People scurry to the far end of the spectrum on an issue rather than consider all the issues.
Logic and emotion never mix. Just think back to the arguments or disagreement of which you have been a part. If someone was very angry with you, they ignored your logical explanations. They did not hear one word of your logic. The same is true in our world. People get emotional about an issue and hear nothing of reason from the other side.
True conversation about an issue takes place when everyone has a chance to speak. Everyone has the responsibility to listen. If someone only wants to scream and refuses to listen, the conversation ends. It turns into a shouting match.
When true compromise happens, neither side gets all they want. Everyone gets something. We learn to live with the difference.
I know we do not live in a perfect world. These concepts do not always bring about the desired results because many people are entrenched in their own ideas. People want to believe what they want to believe regardless of evidence or facts.
Please consider the words of Apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV).
I am purposing in my heart to be about the Kingdom of God. I pray you join me in this Journey with Jesus. Let us walk in the principles of the Kingdom of God not in the failed follies of this world. Keep the tension of balance so folks will not fall from the beam.
Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt
Pathway Journey 