Living on a balance beam

I watched an awesome sermon clip yesterday from a man named Francis Chan.  He described the Christian life like a balance beam.  To actually do anything of value on a balance beam, it takes some courage, some guts - and also a whole lot of falls.  But I think that anyone who's watched Olympic gymnastics would agree that seeing the beautiful, finished product - and the beaming gymnast as she stands in front of the judges at the end of her routine - makes all of the work and all of the difficulties worth it.

I think it's true that the Christian life should be like a balance beam, full of tough challenges, but also brilliant triumphs.  But there's a problem with this picture.  So many of us go through life not wanting to be brilliant, but rather to be safe.  We step on the balance beam, and as soon as things get a little shaky, we get down low and wrap the beam in a bear hug to avoid falling.  And it's true, we live a very safe, comfortable life this way.

But eventually, we're going to have to get off of the beam and face the Judge.  And what is He going to say?  Can you picture an Olympic gymnastic getting on the balance beam, lying flat on her stomach and hugging it for a few minutes, and then getting off and asking the judge how she did?  What would he say?  I can guarantee you that he's not going to tell her that she did a good job.

I challenge you to let go of the beam.  Stand up, take a deep breath, and make a leap of faith.  And don't be upset if you fail.  Don't be afraid of failure.  After all, what are failures, except a learning experience to help you to do better next time?

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

¹ Ship your grain across the sea;
   after many days you may receive a return.
² Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
   you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

 ³ If clouds are full of water,
   they pour rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
   in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
⁴ Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
   whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

 ⁵ As you do not know the path of the wind,
   or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
   the Maker of all things.

 ⁶ Sow your seed in the morning,
   and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
   whether this or that,
   or whether both will do equally well.

How we spend our days

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~Annie Dillard

This is an interesting thing to think about for me.  I don't know about you, but I don't often connect what I do in my day to day activities with the summation of my entire life.  It's just a day, it's just a few hours....what effect could it possibly have in the grand scheme of things?

But it has a huge effect.  A life-changing effect, in fact.  Because Annie Dillard is, in fact, right on the money.  What is our life, really, other than a summation of all of our days?  So how are you spending your life?  Are you spending it staring at a computer screen?  Chasing after meaningless relationships?  Unhappy and ineffective in your job?  Pushing your friends aside to achieve your dreams?  Drunk and wasted every weekend?  Doing anything that makes you feel good, regardless of the consequences to yourself or others?

Or are you spending it doing something of value?  Something that matters?  Something for His kingdom?

Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:1

⁷ Light is sweet,

   and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

⁸ However many years anyone may live,

   let them enjoy them all.

But let them remember the days of darkness,

   for there will be many.

   Everything to come is meaningless.

 ⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young,

   and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.

Follow the ways of your heart

   and whatever your eyes see,

but know that for all these things

   God will bring you into judgment.

¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart

   and cast off the troubles of your body,

   for youth and vigor are meaningless.

¹ Remember your Creator

   in the days of your youth,

before the days of trouble come

   and the years approach when you will say,

   “I find no pleasure in them”—