“I can rest as soon as I finish___.” How often have you heard this from a friend, a family member, or yourself? In this crazy, fast-paced world it can feel natural to think that we have to work in order to deserve to rest. This feeling of balance as a reward can be especially prevalent in ministry. Since mission work is so important, how can we know when to take a break without feeling guilty for missing out on important work? How can we balance our work with seasons and moments of quiet?  

We often look at the hard work of Jesus, but do we notice His times of rest? In Luke 5, Jesus confidently chooses the quiet over the crowds. Let’s notice how Jesus withdraws to the quiet before all of the work is done. Before He confidently declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He spent time alone with the Father. He needed the Father, and He spent moments in stillness even during seasons of loudness.  

The work will not be fully finished until Jesus comes back. We are called to live a life of balance even during the seasons filled with crowds. This balance is not meant to be a burden, but is a rhythm and way of life. If the idea of balance is overwhelming, start small. Take three deep breaths before you get out of bed in the morning, mindfully enjoying the presence of God. This small practice is a wonderful first step of cultivating a balanced life. The lonely times and the loud times become holy times as we sit in communion with the One who created us. The moments of stillness provide a much-needed balance to the hustle of life.  

By choosing to incorporate times of solitude even in the busy seasons of ministry, we cultivate a life that is balanced and based on the Father, not on our own efforts. We will be firmly footed in our Lord, receiving the strength needed to live life with the balance He gives.