Find Equilibrium in Your Work
Blog / Produced by The High Calling
An Olympic ice skater brings upon two blades just the right mixture of body weight, momentum, and angle so that each blade is in sync with the laws of physics and motion. The result is a triple axle jump into the air and back upon the ice. So many elements work together, contributing to the whole, and a great crowd of people gasp in awe at the complete picture of the skater's jump.
Every successful athletic competitor lives and acts in congruence with the truths of physics. But what about equilibrium for the daily living of ordinary people? We need balance too. We find our balance, our equilibrium, when we live within the total truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His truth at work in my life enables me to walk in the light, to stand and not fall over.
Truth is the first theme that St. John brings up in his pastoral letter. "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another . . . If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves [other people too] and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:6-8). John is describing how important personal truthfulness is for every Christian. We call it integrity. Without truth I cannot really understand God's love for me, the real me. Simply standing in the territory of God's light prepares me to receive his forgiveness for my moral brokenness, and to receive his joy, too.
St. Paul describes this standing in the light with a very wise and helpful word. He encourages his friends at Philippi: "Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27). The word we translate as worthy is the Greek word axios. The word axiomtic comes from this word. It means congruence, and therefore in Greek usage it is one of the primary words for equilibrium.
For both Paul and John, integrity measures our manner of life by the reference point of the good news of Jesus Christ. Integrity means congruence with the two grand themes of the gospel.
What are these grand themes? First, I am not in myself that grand permanent source of equilibrium; I cannot confer meaning upon myself as if I were the light I am to walk in. This is the realism of the gospel that squarely faces up to my total need for the true source of light.
Second, the gospel is not just realistic news, it is good news. Karl Barth put it this way: our "total need" has been met by the "total help" of God’s love. His love meets me in the valley where I need the light to find my way. Jesus Christ has loved me there, and by his sacrifice on my behalf I discover my belovedness. The knowledge of our sin balances the knowledge of God's love. Therefore upon this balance point we are able to stand, to walk, to keep our balance, and even help others who are trying to stand too.
Every successful athletic competitor lives and acts in congruence with the truths of physics. But what about equilibrium for the daily living of ordinary people? We need balance too. We find our balance, our equilibrium, when we live within the total truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His truth at work in my life enables me to walk in the light, to stand and not fall over.
Truth is the first theme that St. John brings up in his pastoral letter. "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another . . . If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves [other people too] and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:6-8). John is describing how important personal truthfulness is for every Christian. We call it integrity. Without truth I cannot really understand God's love for me, the real me. Simply standing in the territory of God's light prepares me to receive his forgiveness for my moral brokenness, and to receive his joy, too.
St. Paul describes this standing in the light with a very wise and helpful word. He encourages his friends at Philippi: "Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27). The word we translate as worthy is the Greek word axios. The word axiomtic comes from this word. It means congruence, and therefore in Greek usage it is one of the primary words for equilibrium.
For both Paul and John, integrity measures our manner of life by the reference point of the good news of Jesus Christ. Integrity means congruence with the two grand themes of the gospel.
What are these grand themes? First, I am not in myself that grand permanent source of equilibrium; I cannot confer meaning upon myself as if I were the light I am to walk in. This is the realism of the gospel that squarely faces up to my total need for the true source of light.
Second, the gospel is not just realistic news, it is good news. Karl Barth put it this way: our "total need" has been met by the "total help" of God’s love. His love meets me in the valley where I need the light to find my way. Jesus Christ has loved me there, and by his sacrifice on my behalf I discover my belovedness. The knowledge of our sin balances the knowledge of God's love. Therefore upon this balance point we are able to stand, to walk, to keep our balance, and even help others who are trying to stand too.
