Balancing Act

“I do my best to succeed at doing nothing.”

This statement was made by a man who frequents the place where I regularly get a bagel and a cup of coffee for breakfast. And from my observation, this guy pursues his goal with a rare diligence. Hour after hour, he sits at a table, occasionally glancing at his tablet, but mostly looking around for someone to shoot the breeze with.

Contrast this with another person I know who asked me to pray for him. He loves his job and is extraordinarily gifted at what he does. But he consistently works many days with long hours. He wants (and needs) better Work / Rest balance in his life.

Scripture certainly speaks positively about work:

Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.

– Proverbs 12:14 (NLT)

But Jesus replied, “My Father is
always working, and so am I.”

– John 5:17 (NLT)

Work willingly at whatever you do,
as though you were working for the Lord
rather than for people.

– Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

But the Bible also speaks about the importance of rest:

On the seventh day God had finished his work
of creation, so he rested from all his work.

– Genesis 2:2 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you
who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”

– Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves
to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

– Mark 6:31a (NLT)

As was his habit, Jesus did not provide a formula on how we should go about getting or consistently having a Work / Rest balance in our lives. Nor is this the only area where aspects of the life of faith exist in dual tension. Several other seemingly opposed pairs are:

Justice / Mercy
    Faith / Works
        Giving / Receiving
   Listening / Speaking
Hearing / Doing

So, what to do? I confess I don’t know the answer. But here is the approach I’m taking for the person who asked for prayer (and, incidentally, for myself). I ask God:

* for wisdom to put the right priorities on the right things;
* for courage to say “No” or “Not right now,” when appropriate;
* for strength to do what needs to be done that day;
* and, when opportunities for rest come, for peace to be able to do so.

Live life, then,
with a due sense of responsibility,
not as men who do not know the meaning
and purpose of life but as those who do.
Make the best use of your time . . .

– Ephesians 5:15-16a (PHILLIPS)

Sometimes the most Godly thing you can do
is take a day off.

– Max Lucado (in When God Whispers Your Name)