Saturday, February 9, 2019

Teeter Totters and the Pursuit of Perfect Balance: Communion Thoughts February 2019

Where have all the teeter-totters gone?  When I was a kid, it seemed like every playground had a teeter-totter.  I would often run to the teeter-totter and hope for the ideal partner.  I wanted the perfect balance experience.  I quickly discovered the perfect balance experience was almost impossible.  It seemed I would either be held captive by someone who was heavier and I would often be left suspended high while they laughed knowing my fate was in their hands, or I would be the one in control having to kick my legs hard to allow my partner to have a moment in the downward position.

The best teeter-totter experience probably requires constant corrections of weight distribution unless the partners are the exact weight.  The fact is, life is similar.  We strive to be transformed.  We hope to find the best possible balance in life to be the best we can be.  However, a heavier partner of bad news, an uncontrolled appetite, or relationship gone bad can leave us dangling in the air hoping for a break.

One of my most memorable experiences on a teeter-totter was in the late 80s.  I must have been nine or ten years old.  My partner had me suspended in the air (like always) at Round Lake Christian Assembly in Lakeville, Ohio.  He lost interest and jumped off.  I came crashing to the ground onto my outstretched hand trying to ease the fall.  It could have been worse.  A small slice was taken off my finger, however, this was quite traumatic.  I don't believe I ever got on a teeter-totter again.  In fact, the very sight of a teeter-totter, or going back to where that teeter-totter used to be at Round Lake can quickly bring back unpleasant memories and feelings associated with the moment in the late 80s. Some might refer to this as a "conditioned reflex."

Our pursuit of ideal balance in life, may leave us with unexpected feelings of pain, hopelessness, or frustration.  Sometimes, we may have "conditioned reflexes" from these experiences that leave us wanting to hide or give up never to return to the pursuit of transformation again.  However, Christ can recondition those reflexes.  His grace provides balance to move forward when we mess up.  His power gives us strength to get back on the teeter-totter when we would rather run the other way.  His forgiveness helps us understand we may not find that perfect balance until we see Him in heaven some day.  His resurrection gives us hope in the impossible becoming possible!