If there’s one question that always comes around in our modern age, it’s this.
How do I have a healthy “work-life” balance?
A quick google search uncovers endless articles on this topic. Anyone with the internet has a steady stream of advice and productivity hacks to help you find the work-life balance of your dreams.
But as I dig into these articles while looking at my own life, I find myself asking a different question.
A better question
Instead of asking about work-life balance, many Christians would be wise to ask this question instead.
What’s the pace of life which helps me abide in Jesus?
Even shorter, what’s my pace of abiding?
How much work is too much? Leaving me exhausted and far from Jesus? What pace of living and working is too fast for me to live the life I’m called to?
A life marked by a loving presence and margin for others. A life lived in Christ to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).
God has knit each of us as unique individuals so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Each one of us has the margin for different things.
Some can work 80+ hours a week and sustain a pace of abiding with Jesus. Others struggle to fit this in working 40 hrs. Some folks can volunteer with 3 different ministries, work full time, and raise kids without feeling far from Jesus. Many of us couldn't handle that.
Find your pace
Instead of crafting our ideal work-life balance, we need to think of our whole life pace.
As for me? I need fewer activities, commitments, and work to stay rooted in Jesus. Not more.
And you? Well, take some time this week to audit the pace of your life. See how it facilitates—or doesn’t—your walk with Jesus.
Take a long, prayerful look at your life and try to uncover your personal pace of abiding.
Who knows what might happen.