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PROGRAM D-7881
We hear a lot about finding balance in our lives, especially those of us who are working women. As Christian working women, we have a completely different yardstick by which to measure the balance of our lives, because we have—or should have—an eternal perspective: What matters for eternity?
Our dilemma is this: How do we know what a balanced life is—and how do we find it? Which of these statements would you say are true?
Our lives are in balance when. . . .
- We accomplish everything we plan to do each day
- We are able to meet all the expectations others have of us
- We are able to look good all the time
- We never feel pressured or frazzled
- We live stress-free lives
- We never have to say “no” to anyone
- We can juggle many balls in the air at the same time
- We are very good at multi-tasking
Are these the signs of a balanced life? No, not necessarily. We need a biblical perspective of what it means to live a balanced life. Let’s begin by asking this question: Why am I here?
Why Am I Here?
If you are a Christ-follower, you are here to do the good works he has planned for you to do:
For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
You are not to be lazy; you are not here to please yourself; rather, you are to be about the Father’s business. God does not exist to make us happy, fulfilled, and to solve all our problems. We belong to him, and we are here to do what he planned for us to do.
In the last decades, we’ve been programmed to believe that we are special, and we deserve to have what we want just because we are special. God’s Word certainly affirms that each individual is special to God, created in his image, and loved by him. But we are not here to be doted upon and fussed over. We are here to do good works.
When we get outside of that parameter, then we’re in trouble. How do we get outside of God’s plan for our lives? Here are some of the ways:
- We start “doing our own thing.”
- We plan our life and ask God to bless it instead of seeking to know and do his plan.
- We try to do our good works and some others, as well.
- We fail to seek God’s will.
- We allow others to dictate what we should do and be.
If we want to live the kind of balanced life that will count for eternity, we have to be intentional about doing so!