We hear a lot about mental disorders like bi-polar, depression, and the like, and well we should. The mental state of many in our world today – and especially it seems, among the young of our country, tracks in many wide directions. Take, as an example, what was going on in the mind of that 20-year-old who shot up the Trump rally?
Many are asking, “How do we correct this issue?” Certainly there are many imperfections in our laws that could/should be eliminated. However, the suggestions to what those changes should be are “off the charts” in disagreeing directions. And, as much as I agree that some of our laws need to be changed, I continue to doubt that the make up of our laws have the ability to solve the problems (in the same way that I doubt that science has the ability to solve all of our health or environmental problems).
The problem, I believe, is that by nature we humans are in a worse state than just being bi-polar. We are, in fact, quad-polar! And the challenge – which is one that is life-on-this-earth-long – is living in the “sweet spot” … that is, being fully aware of what it means to be alive in Christ Jesus.
On what I will call the horizontal plane we tend to wander away from the “sweet spot” in one of two directions. On the one hand, our life is shrouded by guilt and regrets that drag us down and stymie us. At the opposite end of the spectrum we become self-righteous, blaming the problem on everyone else and denying our culpability in the issues of our world. Somewhere in the middle we confess our sins, turn them all over to Jesus, receive his grace, ask ourselves, “What are some things – even if they are little – that I can do to make this world a better place?” and then work on doing them.
Of course, that is a very simplistic answer. And yet, as simplistic as it is, this is nothing we can do by ourselves. It involves us hearing the promises of God, allowing God to be at work in us through his Spirit and his people, and making this to be somewhat of a daily pattern. To help you, here are a couple words from above the horizon. “Come now, let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1.18) “(Jesus said,) ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’” (John 8.11) “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4.11)
However, since our problem is not just bi-polar but quad-polar, we must also consider what I will call the vertical plane. Again, we tend to wander away from the “sweet spot” in one of two directions. There is the direction of being so totally absorbed in ourselves that nothing much else matters. Questions like, “What’s in it for me?” or actions/words that shout, “It’s all about me” abound that indicate a mindset that says we are the center of the universe. However, there is also the opposite direction, where we are so focused upon others … what they want, what they think, what they demand … that we do not take care of ourselves.
The ”sweet spot” on this plane is very similar to that of the other. Somewhere in the middle we confess our selfish nature, recognize the same selfish nature in those around us, turn ourselves over to Jesus, receive his grace, ask ourselves, “What are some things – even if they are little – that I can do to strengthen myself to become a more effective servant of Christ?” and then work on clearly communicating the results of these actions to those around us.
My mind wanders to the proverbs of Solomon. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. … Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Provers 3.5-8, 23-24) I don’t know about you, but that sounds like living in the “sweet spot” to me.
Do you remember those two individuals who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus on that first Easter? The events of the past few days had affected their quad-polar disorder. Then Jesus entered into their story “and beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke.24.27) The net result was that “they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” (Luke 24.32) That sounds like the kind of heartburn we all could use!
I believe all of us (whether we are aware of it or not … and whether we are acting upon it or not) seek balance in our lives. And generally we think that focusing upon our behavior either on the horizontal plane or the vertical one will solve it all. Yet, while it is true there are behavior changes on those planes that it would be healthy for us all to consider, I believe Luke describes how true balance grows (rather than is gained) as he records some important words of Jesus: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary (who was sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to his teaching) has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10.41-42)
Now, if I can only find time in my busy life to do this!
Seeking Some Balance