My Paisley Chair

Amazing! Ms. Google came up with 93,100,000 results to “Life Balance”!

Life Coaches. Productivity Analysts. Efficiency Economists. Success Coaches. Life Counselors. Consultants.

For a minimal investment, any of these would be more than happy to counsel, coach, analyze, economize, prioritize, and compartmentalize my life.

They would be all too happy to define my purpose and chart my success. They could rate and evaluate my very existence based on productivity, excellence, and efficiency.

Apparently, I Need Some Help!

Products available for purchase from “life balance” sites include, but are not limited to:

• Herbs and teas
• Creams and aromatic elixirs
• Software and techno-widgets
• Notebooks and workbooks
• Tapes and DVDs
• Online courses
• Candles
• Meditations
• “Happy thoughts”

I’m sure they probably sell fairy dust as well.

Can someone say, “PLEEEEASE!!”

The Perfect To-Do List

One example cited by a time-management expert suggests:

How to make a “To-Do” list according to priorities:

Starting with A, B, C, then adding A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3… etc.

Bless your heart if you are one of the precious few who can make and complete a perfect to-do list, all the while keeping your ducks in a perfect row.

Me, on the other hand, I find this a daily struggle that leaves me exhausted and sometimes cranky.

Don’t Forget the Context!

This is where a lot of Christian women start quoting Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Honestly, it starts to sound somewhat like a chant or meditation run amok, rather than encouragement from God.

I have to remind myself…

Don’t forget the context!

It is in learning to be content, no matter the circumstance, that Paul mentions that I can do ALL things.

I may have missed the memo…

You are not Wonder Woman!

Paul says in Philippians 4:11–13

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The “all things” Paul is talking about aren’t a superhuman ability to accomplish everything on my to-do list.

They are about learning to be content wherever God has placed me.

The Exhaustion of “Potential”

Having been through courses in organization, productivity, and efficiency, let me be the first to confess that it can be exhausting to live up to one’s potential.

If every minute is spent in the pursuit of perfection, I lose the joy of my journey.

BTW—Excellence is the goal. Doing my best has got to be enough!

The Scripture comes to mind:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

NOT:

“Thou hast reached perfection, come on in.

When Productivity Becomes A Measure of Worth

It is easy for me to fall into the thought trap that my value is based on productivity.

I begin to think the more organized I am, the more I can get done, and therein, I increase my value.

To get more organized might bring some life balance. And IF life balance were the goal, that would make perfect sense.

But what if I pause to consider Isaiah 30:15?

“For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’ But you would not.”

Sounds like this is a choice that is offered and is mine to choose (or not).

Why would I NOT choose this?!

Is “Life Balance” Really the Goal?

Could it be that the “Life Balance” the world is selling is not a biblical concept?

Could it be that as long as I am striving for it, I will be frustrated?

Maybe I should reject marketing that presses me beyond my limit and enter into the rest, peace, and contentment that is available. The abundant life that Jesus gives.

The “all” mentioned by Paul that I CAN “do” is LEARN to find contentment in the place God has placed me.

What If He Is Already Delighted With Me?

I need to pause for a moment and consider that I am the delight of His heart.

When I come into His presence, His eyes dance with joy over me.

He is captivated by my detailed ramblings about my day and loves hearing what concerns me.

I am the light of His life, and He is just crazy about me!

He is ready to dance with joy at this very moment…

Lighten Up!

Maybe it’s time to replace the mantras that cause undue stress with something else:

“Jesus is just crazy about me!
Holy Spirit has fun living in my heart!
My Father thinks I’m a keeper!”

And then…

Enter into the joy and rest of His presence! Even when my ducks don’t line up!

Until next time…

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