Retreating to the balcony has dramatically changed my walk with Christ and TRANSFORMED my life. Will YOU take the BALCONY CHALLENGE for 2022 and record what you see below?
The story is built around a balcony metaphor and pivots off God’s command for self-examination to “search me and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23).
For me, going up on a metaphorical balcony and looking down on my life below gives me perspective on the bigger picture by distancing myself from the day-to-day machinations of life.
It lets me evaluate my walk as a detached third party looking on from multiple angles.
It’s the music beneath the lyrics of my life’s song.
This ongoing, reflective probe into our faith is how God shapes our path and points out things that need to be changed. Importantly, a regular trip to the balcony can help us spot trouble coming and avoid it before it happens.
OF COURSE IT’S DANGEROUS UP THERE!
Even if you’re not frightened by heights, going up on the balcony I’m referring to can be frightful indeed. It’s the balcony of life that looks out over who we are and what we do. But here are just a few of myriad benefits from periodic trips to the balcony to review our faith walk:
- Hit the refresh button and increase self-awareness.
- Reduce emotion and slow down the pace of life.
- Rewind our “life tape” and identify blind spots.
The BALCONY GOAL is to confront the reality of our life by asking:
- Am I happy with my faith walk as it unfolds below?
- Am I ignoring someone who needs my attention, love, or time?
- Am I in touch with how my current mood/attitude looks and feels?
- Am I living the habits of a disciple: Word; Prayer; Fellowship; and Tithing?
We know God wants us to examine our heart; the question is getting that done on a regular basis and at a deep enough level to pierce the superficial cover we tend to pull over our life.
The balcony is a great way to reach that goal and animate what God would have us do or change in our life.
I ask God to continually search my heart to see if there is something he wants to change in my life. To help me maintain an ongoing, reflective probe into my relationship and walk with him. To guide me toward his light and away from life’s darkness. To show me where I need to change.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you been up on the balcony lately to look down on your life, your attitude, and your walk with Christ? Give it a try. What do you see? Pop up to the balcony today or tomorrow and have a look at your life and faith walk.
“Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24
