The Pendulum Swing

Sometimes I think that our spiritual growth can be described as a swinging pendulum. At least I have found that to be true in my life and have observed it in others as well.

I think we form our thoughts and opinions on spiritual matters when we become Christians based on where we are in that moment and what knowledge we have at that time. For some it is extremely conservative or extremely legalistic. For others it is extremely liberal or extremely free. I think our journey with Christ…as we get to know His heart and pursue Him…sets the pendulum in motion. As we get closer to Him – He can show us new truths that might get our pendulum swung the opposite direction. We might have been extremely conservative and legalistic…but as new truths are discovered and new facets of God are uncovered…we might become extremely liberal and embrace our freedom in Christ.

Then as we continue to walk with God…He might swing the pendulum just a little bit the other way. This might actually go back and forth for a while until we settle somewhere in the middle. This is true balance.

Then God might reveal another area in our life to start swinging the pendulum. Maybe it will be an area of emotional maturity that we are able to tackle. We might be relating to people with lots of compassion and love but realize that we are losing ourselves in the process. We have put others needs and wants ahead of our own self-care. We have become a people pleaser. SO- we recognize this and send the pendulum swinging the other way. Where we are all about boundaries and knowing our limits. Where we analyze each interaction and seek to protect ourselves from giving too much.

But this is not necessarily the place where we need to live. That pendulum needs to keep swinging until we find the balance. There is a healthy place in the middle…where we are compassionate and caring to others without losing ourselves and without being analytical.

I think several pendulums can be swinging at the same time in our lives and the trick is to recognize the place you are in. And that is the trick – because I believe when we are in the midst of it we think we are completely right to be where we are at. We think that we know the right way to be and judge others for not being at the place we are in – or seek out those who are the same as us to reinforce our beliefs.

I think true wisdom and emotional maturity comes from realizing that you are a complete mess and that you truly have no answers. The more I learn about Jesus and following Him – the more I realize I do not know. He is way to big to fit into any paradigm I can imagine. I can’t intellectualize Him. He is a maze of contradictions. Black and white and shades of gray are all mixed up. I can’t nail Him down. He is unpredictable. That is what makes Him God and not me. Because if I could figure Him out in this lifetime – I really would have no use for Him. He is complex in a way that I can’t even begin to figure out or analyze.

So what to do with the pendulum? I think we need to recognize that being on the pendulum is not a bad thing. When the pendulum is swinging we are growing. When the pendulum is idle…we are stagnant and not moving towards Him.

So jump on the pendulum and go along for the ride…hold things loosely and don’t judge others for not being in the place you are…who knows how long you might be there yourself?