The Myth Of Balance And The Call Of Christ

Beloved, if you scroll through social media or browse the self-help section in any bookstore today, you’ll see this repeated message:

“Find balance.”

“Work-life harmony.”

“Don’t let one thing take over the other.”

We are told that a balanced life is the key to peace and happiness.

And yet, have you ever noticed — the more we chase balance, the more stressed we become?

Because just when you think you’ve balanced your work, your family suddenly needs more of you. When your family is doing well, your health takes a hit. When your health improves, your spiritual life starts running dry.

Life never stays still.

Illustration:

Imagine a man trying to balance on a seesaw that keeps moving. One moment he’s up, the next he’s down, always adjusting, never stable. That’s what chasing “balance” feels like. We keep moving but never find peace.

So maybe the question we should ask is not “How do I balance my life?” But “What is Jesus calling me to do right now?”

I. The Myth of a Balanced Life

The world tells us: “You can have it all — just balance it well.”

But Jesus never said that. He didn’t preach balance.

He preached devotion.

He preached priority.

He said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23

Balance says: “Make room for everything equally.”

Jesus says: “Make Me your everything.”

To follow Christ is not to juggle all our responsibilities equally; it is to surrender all our responsibilities to Him and allow Him to direct our steps.

II. The Life Jesus Modeled

If anyone lived under pressure, it was Jesus. Crowds followed Him everywhere. The sick begged for healing. The disciples asked endless questions. The Pharisees plotted against Him. Through it all, however, Jesus lived in peace.

How?

Because His life was not balanced — it was aligned with the Father’s will.

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.” — John 5:19

Jesus’ rhythm was not “balance,” but “obedience.” He worked tirelessly when there was work to do.

He rested and withdrew to pray when it was time to rest. He surrendered completely to the Father’s plan, even unto death.

He lived in rhythm, not in balance — because His center was the Father.

Illustration:

Think of a wheel. The spokes connect to the rim, but everything depends on the hub. If the hub is centered, the wheel moves smoothly. If the hub is off-center, the ride is rough and unstable.

Christ is the hub of our lives. When everything — family, career, rest, service — is connected through Him, life rolls with grace, even when it spins fast. But if something else becomes the center — money, ambition, or even family — the wheel begins to wobble.

III. The Call to Seek First

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Notice the word: first. Not “balance the kingdom among other priorities,” but “seek it first.”

To seek first the Kingdom means:

God is not one compartment of your life — He is the core.

Work becomes worship.

Family becomes ministry.

Rest becomes trust.

Even ambition becomes stewardship.

When God is first, everything else finds its rightful place.

Example:

If you keep God at the center of your marriage, you will love your spouse selflessly.

If you keep God at the center of your work, your career becomes a calling.

If you keep God at the center of your rest, you find peace, not guilt, in stillness.

But if we chase balance without Christ, we end up exhausted and empty.

IV. The Trap of Control

Let’s be honest — when people say they want “balance,” what they often want is control.

We want to control time, outcomes, people, and even God. But following Christ means letting go of control.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

We don’t need balance; we need trust.

Illustration:

A missionary once said, “I used to pray for balance — until I realized that balance is my way of keeping Jesus at a safe distance. So I started praying for faith instead.”

When you surrender your sense of control, you gain something far greater — peace that surpasses understanding.

V. Living an Integrated Life in Christ

God does not want a balanced life. He wants an integrated life — where every part of who we are is unified under His Lordship.

That means:

You don’t stop being a parent to serve God — you parent as a servant of God.

You don’t stop working to worship — you worship while working.