Is a Balanced Life Really Possible?

Life can be hectic. For many of us, there always seems to be a lot to do and never enough time. We take pride in getting stuff done—the more the better. The daily cycle of work, chores, and errands can seem endless. We want things to be different, but we don’t know how to get to a better place. So we press on, Starbucks in hand, while the long hours and stress begin to take their toll on our life, health and emotions.

For others, days are empty, long and monotonously boring, with a lack of life purpose or vision. Either way, we can be out of balance. Yet, the question remains:

Amidst the busyness of life, is it really possible to find balance?

The concept of “balance” is often portrayed with the old-fashioned weighing scale. Tipped to one side, unbalanced; perfectly level, the scales are balanced. But if your life was like a scale, how often would it be perfectly perfect? An hour, a moment, a few short seconds?

Indeed, perhaps there is another way.

Jill Briscoe once told me that we should strive for a life that is CENTERED, not BALANCED. Centered on God, we discover who we are. A daughter, a son, a child of God. Centered on God, we find our purpose, our callings in life. We find freedom, hope, identity, peace. We find a faithful God who helps us sort out priorities and have the power and energy to be the best person we can possibly be. We find real rest.

Work is good, but we also need time for cultivating relationships, enjoying life, having fun, serving others, knowing God, and yes, time for taking care of ourselves. Someone once told me, “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

The truth is you only have so much time and energy, what are you going to use it on? What are your priorities? What plumps up your soul and nourishes your life? Do you have space—some time in your life—to think, ponder, or to just “be”?

Why not take some time this weekend to renew and energize. When you do, you’ll be able to get more done and feel refreshed, when you get back to it. If you take the time to take time, the results could be positively life-changing: a heart at peace, more joy, increased energy, better relationships, more productivity at work and ministry, and more.

Pray. Rest. Talk to God—and go get your life back.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33