I came across an interesting concept I want to pass on to you. Keith Miller, years ago, made a film series in which he quoted Sigmund Freud. Freud said, “Our mind is divided into two basic areas. One third is on the conscious level and two thirds is on the unconscious level.”

The conscious mind is the upper level – you might call it the tip of the iceberg. The unconscious mind is the lower level – it is the part of the iceberg below the surface. These are like two separate worlds in which people we have met continue to influence our lives.

The people who live in our lower level are those, living or dead, who continually reach up and try to pull us down. Psychologists sometimes call these people “basement” people. Do you have any basement people in your life? Basement comments are words like, “You’re never going to change”, “You can’t do anything right”, “What’s wrong with you?” Sometimes parents communicate basement statements to their children without realizing it. Comments like, “Not now, can’t you see I’m busy?” or “How many times do I have to tell you?” It has been observed that we Christians are different from people of the world, because along with basement people we have the advantage of balcony people in the top third of our minds.

Some characteristic balcony statements are, “I love you; I’m so proud of you; I know you can make it; I believe in you; God has a purpose for you.” Do you have any balcony people in your life? Let me ask you another question: are you a balcony person or are you a basement person? Whose balcony are you in? I hope you’re the best balcony person your spouse, or children, or friends ever have in this world.

Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the great faith chapter of the Bible. In it we have a list of faith heroes out of the Old Testament. You might call them Bible balcony people.

Chapter 12 of Hebrews begins with the word “therefore.” Whenever you see the word “therefore” in the Bible, you know that whatever is going to be said after that word bears directly on what was said before it.

Hebrews 12:1 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

The word “surround” paints the picture of a crowd towering above the race. These faith heroes are in your balcony. They are smiling and encouraging, beckoning you to keep on. Think of it; St. Paul, St. Peter, along with thousands of others, have joined Jesus in your balcony. Do you see them? They are there. The Scriptures indicate that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. However, an amazing statement is made in Acts 7. Stephen has just given his great testimony to the Sanhedrin. As the people listen to his words. they are cut to the heart. They lash out at Stephen and begin to stone him. But in verse 56 Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” It was as if Jesus had sat in the balcony long enough and now stood in support of one of his who was going through a life-threatening trial.

I’m not sure what you are going through right now. But it just could be that Jesus has sat in your balcony long enough and He’s about ready to stand in response to the faith you have in Him for this very day.

Hold steady; He’s in your balcony right now!

Copyright © 2015 Dr. Lenny Wisehart. All rights reserved.

Lenny Wisehart loves to preach the gospel. He is a sought-after evangelist and his enthusiasm is contagious. He currently serves as a pastor at South Lake Church of the Nazarene in Indiana. He spent many years as a traveling evangelist, preaching and singing the gospel.