Weekly Spiritual Reflections  

The other day I went for a 9-mile bike ride in the hot afternoon sun and thought I was drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Later that evening, I had a mild case of heat exhaustion and dehydration. I felt really sick and was down for about a day and a half. This was the first time in my life in all my physical activities that I experienced dehydration. It was not a pretty sight. My lesson learned is that there is such a delicate balance of water in the body, more fragile than initially understood. I realize that it doesn’t take much to get out of balance or off-kilter with the body. Living in the balance takes constant effort and a little more attentiveness than I did that hot summer afternoon.

I think living in the balance is also true for the spiritual life. I firmly believe that God is always present and trying to get our attention in loving ways. Seeking balance in the spiritual life means an effort on my part to be attentive and to take time to nurture my relationship with God, being open to the Spirit moving in my life.

Like the body, the spiritual life is a delicate and fragile balance that must be cared for tenderly. I know that there have been moments in my spiritual life where I feel out of balance, out-of-it with God, or just on autopilot through life where I am not paying attention. When I realize this, I take time for quiet, time for some soul-tending, and time for prayer; I take time to get back to center spiritually.

How do you live in the balance spiritually? Are there moments when you feel out-of-sorts or out-of-balance in your spiritual life? What helps you get back to center?

May you dwell in the balance of the Spirit this day.