We often see finding balance as figuring out the perfect way to manage our schedules and day to day activities, in order to make life better and easier for us. And yes, while this is part of finding balance, the key is not the managing, but the choice of activity itself. Finding balance is truly about leading a life worthy of the Lord, in order to bear fruit in your daily tasks.
Finding Balance – Video
Who Do YOU Live For?
Before we begin, think about the things you have to do, and decide to do during a typical day. How many things do you do are done for your own pleasure? Scrolling on your phone? Watching TV? Avoiding chores or work? Not playing or reading with your kids? Making an easy meal so you don’t have to put in much work?…..What about skipping Bible time, prayer time, Church, or deciding not to grow your knowledge of Jesus and His Word due to laziness?
Be Convicted in Your Way of Life
We are always looking for ways to make our lives easy and more enjoyable for ourselves, but what often happens, is we begin to fill our day and our time with more and more things to do, places to go, and people to see. The more we pack into our days, the more we get overwhelmed, burned out, stressed, and exhausted. What happened then? The tasks that matter, such as reading our Bible, going to Church, praying to God, watching or reading educational videos that can grow our faith and knowledge of God are put on the back-burner. They become “optional tasks” that we do when we “have time.”
We get SO busy trying to fill our lives with worldly pleasures and distractions, wearing ourselves out from the wrong things, not leaving any time for God in our day.
How Should We Live?
Do we want to balance the life we want, or the life God wants for us?
Are we transforming our lives to live for Him? And no, it doesn’t count if you sit there and say, “I really need to stop…or I shouldn’t do…” but then never change. I am talking full on conversion of heart. You have repented of your old ways, look back in disgust, and work hard trying not to commit the sin(s) again. Are you living a life for God?
Colossians 1:9-10 say, “…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Life Worthy of the Lord
- What do you do during the day that is worthy of the Lord? What do you do during the day that is fully pleasing to Him?
- What do you do during the day that is not pleasing to the Lord?
- If God were to physically follow you around all day, what would you work on and do? Would it look different than what you do during your typical day?
Paul is TELLING us to lead a life WORTHY of the Lord. To do, act, and say what is pleasing to the Lord. That EVERY work that we do, should bear fruit and be good, and help us grow in our knowledge of God.
Paul continues in verses 11-12, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
- Do you ask and allow God to strengthen you every day?
- Do you endure your tasks with patience and joy?
- Do you give thanks to the Father?
Paul continues in verses 13-14, “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” THIS IS OUR HOPE, OUR REASON FOR CHANGE!
We can be delivered from the darkness that surrounds us, the darkness of this world, the darkness tempting us and pulling us into earthly desires and pleasures. For Jesus has redeemed us, forgives us, and transforms our lives IF WE BELIEVE IN HIM AND LIVE FOR HIM.
Do NOT Live For The World
Paul also reminds us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
John tells us in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.”
Paul also tells us in Colossians 2:20, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world?”
Paul continues to an even deeper level in Colossians 3:1-17.
Colossians 3:1-4
“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Colossians 3:5-11
Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Colossians 3:12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
- What do you make a priority in your day that is strictly of the world?
- Do you love the things, any thing, of this world more than God?
- Have you allowed God to renew your mind, so you only do the will of God during your day?
Do you make doing the will of God the most important thing you do during the day?
Finding Balance in Christian Homemaking
How did you answer to the question above, “Do you make doing the will of God the most important thing you do during the day?” Maybe you’re not quite sure how to respond. Let me reask it in a different way. “Do you give God the FIRST of your time – your talent – and your treasure?”
- TIME: Do you spend time with God daily? Learning about Him, the Scriptures, the Church? Do you designate time to be with Him, even if it means personal sacrifice? (getting up early, pausing activities you enjoy, giving up phone time or personal pleasures that take up your time, etc.) Do you serve others? What about God’s people? (poor, needy, disabled, homeless, etc.)
- TALENT: Do you use your skills, knowledge, abilities, and talents to service God? (Do you serve Him at Church, in the community, by volunteering, making something for others, etc.)
- TREASURE: Are you giving the first of your finances? Even if you don’t have much to give, are you spending what is left on yourself?
Do You Focus on Eternal Tasks?
Based on how you answered those questions, is very telling for how you likely spend your day. If you want to live a life worthy of Christ, you have to give up your own wants and desires to focus on eternal tasks. What are eternal tasks? Eternal tasks are those that will help lead you to a righteous and holy path. Tasks such as going to Church, reading your Bible, praying, serving, educating yourself through others in Scripture and Tradition. Any task, activity, or learning that brings you closer to God.
Now you might be thinking, “I have a job to go to, kids’ sports and extracurricular activities to attend, meetings I can’t miss, things I’m in charge of, so on and so forth. How can I not do those tasks that aren’t considered eternal tasks?” The truth is, many of those tasks that aren’t technically “Biblical”, can be done with a Biblical heart, can be eternal tasks.
You can serve God by completing your everyday tasks, if your everyday tasks serve others. Yes, God has given us work as a result of the fall, yet, it is a gift by giving us the opportunity to serve others, and serve Him. Paul gives us an important reminder about work as well. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not for others.” If we are listening to Paul, and work for the Lord, no matter the task, then it is an eternal task. However, if you have to chose between a self-centered task (ex. relaxing and scrolling on your phone) verses an eternal task (reading your Bible, working for your family, etc.), you MUST, not should, but MUST always chose the eternal task.
Finding Balancing in Your Home
Christian Homemaking 101 is a blog post I have created, that entails a three part series that can help guide you to becoming a more fruitful, organized, and productive homemaker. Cultivate a Christ centered home, by simply doing His will of serving others. This post will give you a more specifics, along with free resources!
After you have evaluated your day, and made the necessary changes you need to try to live a life worthy of Christ, you can begin to balance it. Finding balance in your home doesn’t mean that you will magically get everything you want done, every single day, and do it effectively and without hardship. No. Balancing your home is really sorting out what the most important tasks are for each day.
- If you haven’t already, begin by making a “top priorities” list. Only include eternal tasks.
- Yes, cleaning the bathrooms still counts as an eternal task, after all you are still serving others. But what if you live alone? Caring for anything that God has blessed you with, is being a good and faithful steward of His gifts to you. Cleaning your home, even if it is only for you, is still being a good steward of the gift (the bathroom) God gave you. Don’t forget, you are an important gift as well. We are also called to care for ourselves. Caring for ourselves, however, is very different from being self-centered and self-serving.
1. Organize which tasks will be daily tasks, weekly tasks, and even monthly tasks.
- Daily examples: reading you Bible, praying, cooking, reading to your child(ren)…
- Weekly tasks: laundry, bathrooms, attending Church, a Bible study…
- Monthly tasks: tithing, volunteering, hosting…
2. Look at anything you have to do that isn’t a “top priority”. Sort through the different tasks and determine whether they are truly necessary or not. Remove yourself from any activity, pleasure, or anything time consuming that is draining and not life-giving to you, even if it is a good thing.
- For example: Monday I volunteered at a pregnancy advocacy center, Tuesday I attended a two hour Bible study, Wednesday I attended a mom group, Thursday I attended a two hour leader’s meeting for the Tuesday Bible study, and once a month on Friday I went to a Biblical book club. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES WERE GOOD THINGS. They each served God. However, I was NOT able to care for my husband, my children, or my home in the way God intended for me to. ***We CANNOT be Biblical homemakers if we are NEVER home.
- It is okay to finish up on your commitments, then commit to time with the Lord at home.
3. Pray that God will help you discern the activities and priorities that should be in your life right now. Listen to what He says to you. The Spirit will light a fire in your heart for the things He wants you to pursue and focus on. Listen to those feelings.
May the Lord continue to bless you and I on this journey of life. May we always remember the good He has given us, and focus on transforming our lives to live a well balanced life for His glory.
Recipes
BEST Pastry Dough EVER
Create the most flaky pastry treats from pie crust, to turnovers, to pigs in a blanket. This delicious pastry dough is so quick and so versatile.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups unbleached flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter (shredded or cubed)
- 8 tablespoons ice water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (added to the 8 tablespoons water)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, add 2.5 cups of unbleached flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
- Add 2 sticks of shredded or cubed butter to the flour mixture. Mix with the whisk attachment until flour looks like crumbles. (You should have tiny crumbs of butter that if squeezed would stick together.)
- In a small bowl combine 8 tablespoons of ice water and 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
- Pour half of the water into the flour mixture, and whisk. Add in the other half of the water, and mix until dough becomes thick and can be pressed together.
- Shape dough into 2 disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour on a flat surface. Unwrap one of the disks, and sprinkle the top with additional flour. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough until it is flat. Cut to desired shape.
Notes
Pie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6nFql1aSm8
Pigs in a Blanket: https://youtu.be/KyavMtccwts
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- Homemaking with a Servant Heart
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