Focus 1 | Balanced, Spiritually
Balance requires confidence, and this confidence comes from God. Yet God doesn't wait for you to find spiritual balance. God provides balance by grounding you in a new identity. When you stop quantifying your spiritual accomplishments and instead begin the practice of echoing God's qualifying words about you, you are unshakable at your core and poised to build a balanced life on Christ.
See what this Spotlight—and series— is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 1" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Tap on the words "Focus 1" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Let's talk about a pair of oxen and a downward facing dog.
Listen to this clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Listen to this clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Look at a stool and learn from it.
In this series, you'll be looking at a stool. A lot. Not staring at it, but learning from it. It's a three-legged stool, designed to provide balance for you, with these legs: physical balance, mental balance, and spiritual balance.
Over the course of this Spotlight series, you will be joining society's ongoing conversations about physical and mental balance, armed with God's wisdom.
Yet in today's Spotlight on spiritual balance you will find God deconstructing you before constructing you. Spiritually, you are completely at the mercy of God to help you, since spiritual matters are beyond human comprehension and power. See how God wisely deconstructs your spirituality in these verses, beginning with a message of calm…
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.
Isaiah 44:8–9
People tend to build a spirituality of their own out of nothing, which ironically renders them spiritually void. God deconstructs empty natural spirituality. But in the next section of the Spotlight, you'll find God ready to reconstruct the deconstructed, with something as firm and dependable as he is.
Talk for a minute or two in your group about why you hesitate to let yourselves be deconstructed.
In this series, you'll be looking at a stool. A lot. Not staring at it, but learning from it. It's a three-legged stool, designed to provide balance for you, with these legs: physical balance, mental balance, and spiritual balance.
Over the course of this Spotlight series, you will be joining society's ongoing conversations about physical and mental balance, armed with God's wisdom.
Yet in today's Spotlight on spiritual balance you will find God deconstructing you before constructing you. Spiritually, you are completely at the mercy of God to help you, since spiritual matters are beyond human comprehension and power. See how God wisely deconstructs your spirituality in these verses, beginning with a message of calm…
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.
Isaiah 44:8–9
People tend to build a spirituality of their own out of nothing, which ironically renders them spiritually void. God deconstructs empty natural spirituality. But in the next section of the Spotlight, you'll find God ready to reconstruct the deconstructed, with something as firm and dependable as he is.
Talk for a minute or two in your group about why you hesitate to let yourselves be deconstructed.
Welcome Perspective
Listen to this song and then reflect on it.
The struggle to find balance is universal—every person feels it. The hardest part about it is that every time you feel like you've found some balance, things around you shift and you have to adjust again. Thus Albert Einstein's reflection: "Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." This series will hopefully give you a chance to acknowledge the imbalance of life and see how God has a plan to run along with you, like a parent behind a kid learning to ride a bike, and help you stay steady.
Since you've already thought about a three-legged stool and a bike, it seemed to good to let this song introduce a third "balancing act" metaphor: a tightrope. This song is a heart-felt cry to God in the midst of the tension of trying to keep your balance in a fallen world.
Listen to Tightrope by John Guerra by pressing the play button on the video below.
(Once you press play to start the song, you can click through the lyrics in the frame below the video player.)
The struggle to find balance is universal—every person feels it. The hardest part about it is that every time you feel like you've found some balance, things around you shift and you have to adjust again. Thus Albert Einstein's reflection: "Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." This series will hopefully give you a chance to acknowledge the imbalance of life and see how God has a plan to run along with you, like a parent behind a kid learning to ride a bike, and help you stay steady.
Since you've already thought about a three-legged stool and a bike, it seemed to good to let this song introduce a third "balancing act" metaphor: a tightrope. This song is a heart-felt cry to God in the midst of the tension of trying to keep your balance in a fallen world.
Listen to Tightrope by John Guerra by pressing the play button on the video below.
(Once you press play to start the song, you can click through the lyrics in the frame below the video player.)
This is the first of a few times you'll hear this song in this series. At this point, what would you say is "the difference between the cart, the cargo, and horse?" What does that line in the song mean?
Take one minute (using the timer below) to reflect and articulate your thoughts on this with your group.
Take one minute (using the timer below) to reflect and articulate your thoughts on this with your group.
Watch this video and follow along to learn what happened when Jesus asked for a status report.
Lean on the rock by resting in God's words.
Below are verses of Psalm 62 and Matthew 16, intermingled, along with an instrumental music track. Choose one volunteer to read Psalm 62 and another to read Matthew 16 aloud while the music plays, alternating verses (Matthew 16 is italicized.) Everyone who isn't reading can simply relax into the ways that these ideas interplay and God's faithfulness as the rock in which you can believe is explored.
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this
tottering fence?
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
“Power belongs to you, God, 12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Below are verses of Psalm 62 and Matthew 16, intermingled, along with an instrumental music track. Choose one volunteer to read Psalm 62 and another to read Matthew 16 aloud while the music plays, alternating verses (Matthew 16 is italicized.) Everyone who isn't reading can simply relax into the ways that these ideas interplay and God's faithfulness as the rock in which you can believe is explored.
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this
tottering fence?
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard:
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
“Power belongs to you, God, 12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Use this interactive presentation to relax into finding balance by joyfully falling down.
Worship Perspective
Use this interactive presentation to see how intense the Spirit is required to be.
Read and consider the Spirit's work in bringing you balance.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14–17
Spiritual balance is being grounded on the story that God is telling about your life. It might look something like this:
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14–17
Spiritual balance is being grounded on the story that God is telling about your life. It might look something like this:
Each of those elements of this story are the Spirit's work—not yours! Which of these four intensities of the Spirit (forgiveness, identity, hope, community) are you most tempted to see as coming from you instead of from the intense Spirit?
In which of those four areas do you tend to feel the most spiritually imbalanced? Are there ways that you could help one another become more confident in the Spirit's good work?
In which of those four areas do you tend to feel the most spiritually imbalanced? Are there ways that you could help one another become more confident in the Spirit's good work?
Learn Perspective
Dream of a Spiritually-balanced future for someone you love.
Here's what you'll do: take a moment to picture that person dwelling in forgiveness from God, then take a moment to picture that same person dwelling in identity from God, then dwelling in hope from God, and finally community from God. Then silently hand that picture over to the Spirit for him to do the building.
Use the video below to guide this process:
Here's what you'll do: take a moment to picture that person dwelling in forgiveness from God, then take a moment to picture that same person dwelling in identity from God, then dwelling in hope from God, and finally community from God. Then silently hand that picture over to the Spirit for him to do the building.
Use the video below to guide this process:
Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
Serve Perspective
Close with this song that fully, totally depends on God-the-Rock for a foundation.
Farewell Perspective
Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Posted in Balance in a Certain Light
No Comments