Recently, I read some passages as part of our Sunday morning worship service.

I was grateful that I could read from the pulpit instead of having to stand upright in front of a stand alone microphone in the middle of the platform.

Why?

My broken ankle from 20 years ago makes it hard for me to keep my balance without something on which to steady myself.

This problem is especially pronounced if I must close my eyes for a prayer, cutting off any visual input to keep myself standing upright.

This experience got me reflecting about a similar problem each of us has keeping our spiritual balance in real life.

As the Prophet Isaiah told us: all we like sheep have gone astray. (Isaiah 53:6).

All of us have trouble standing upright when we stand alone on the platform of life.

Fortunately, as Jesus illustrated in the Fifteenth Chapter of Luke (foreshadowing his humiliation, torture and death on the cross to save us), the LORD is like:

—a tireless shepherd who spares no effort—no sacrifice—until he finds his lost sheep and carries it home, and rejoices over it with his friends and neighbors (Luke 15:3-6);

—a diligent housewife who spares no effort—no sacrifice—until she finds her lost silver coin, and rejoices over it with her friends and neighbors (Luke 15:7-9); and

—a faithful father who spares no effort—no sacrifice—to restore his sons to his family so they can rejoice together, and celebrate with their friends and neighbors. (Luke 15:11-32).

Therefore, we can regain our spiritual balance by reading the Scriptures that reflect and reveal this LORD, this LORD who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. (Exodus 34:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We can regain our spiritual balance by following Jesus who embodies and reveals this LORD, this LORD who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. (Matthew 5:17; John 1:1-5,14,16-18).

We can regain our spiritual balance by joining together with other followers of the Way of Jesus who help each other become compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-24).

We can regain our spiritual balance by joining together with other followers of the Way of Jesus who help each other produce the fruit of the Spirit of the LORD: a creation that is good, that is very good because it is full of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Genesis 1:1-2:3; Galatians 5:22-23).

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For more of my thoughts about how to regain our spiritual balance, please read these blogs based on the teachings of the Apostle Paul: “Grace and Peace—Galatians”, “Grace and Peace—Thessalonians”, “Grace and Peace—Corinthians”, “Grace and Peace—Romans”, “Grace and Peace—Ephesians”, “Grace and Peace—Philippians”, “Grace and Peace—Colossians”, “Grace and Peace—Philemon”, “Grace and Peace: Titus”, “Grace, Mercy and Peace—First Timothy”, and “Grace, Mercy and Peace—Second Timothy”.

To read more of my thoughts based on breaking my ankle in 2003, please read my books Healing the Promised Land, especially pages 113-115 (the title and theme of this book were shaped by my experiences healing from my badly broken ankle that required surgery), and Lighting the World, at pages 88-90.