I recently noticed this playground sign and I wonder if it is out of date. The picture is of a teeter-totter, also known as a seesaw. I have not seen a teeter-totter at a playground for years – at least not the kind of teeter-totter pictured in the sign.
The seesaws I remember enjoying as a child were a simple, narrow board with handles near the ends, secured to a central pivot point. With a friend on the other side, we would happily ride up and down, pushing ourselves up, and often bouncing a bit when we came down. Sometimes, the game was to see if we could balance the teeter-totter, holding it horizontally, without the help of our feet touching the ground. This, of course, meant that we would have to scoot forward or backwards on the board to find the right balance. In its own way, the teeter-totter provides a physics lesson as well as a playground play.
Much is written about balance, all type of balance -- work-life balance, a balanced diet, a balanced fitness program. There is practical wisdom in much of this. Interestingly enough, we don’t speak of spiritual balance, and I think we should not. Jesus’ call to us does not offer a balanced option. Our Lord asks for 100%. Colossians 3:17 puts it this way: “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” That sounds like a 24 hour commitment, 7 days a week. Our faith asks us to lean all the way into Christ.
It is important to find balance that works for you in many areas of life, just don’t look for it in the Christian life. Instead, may your life be “hidden in Christ with God.” (Colossians 3:3)
May the peace of Christ be with you.
Carol