Had a great conversation with co-workers and friends today about the balance between work- life and life-life. I realize that these two aspects can get really out of whack and unhealthy, but I also wonder about how we might learn to integrate them better as opposed to feeling like they have to be so segmented. My life is already segmented enough. There’s my inner life and my outer life, my life as a daughter and my life as a mother, my life as a pastor’s wife and my life as a church-goer (not the same thing…), my life as a commuter and my life in my community, my life in person and my virtual life (via email, cellphone, etc.) – on and on it goes. What if there is a way to allow a more seamless movement between these realms? Or what if I see and experience all of them as interconnected? In many ways, it seems like that’s God’s deepest invitation: that we seek and find life – really, seek and find God in everything. Maybe it’s not a question of balance. Maybe it’s a question of embrace. Maybe it’s a question of letting more than one reality exist at the same time in my mind, heart, and life: beauty and harm, tension and rest, pressure and relief, anger and laughter, celebration and grief, work and home…
I wonder how Jesus balanced life and work. Hmmm. Might be something there to ponder. Life was his work and his work was to bring life.
For now, the segment of me that’s exhausted needs sleep.
SUBSCRIBE to my Monthly Newsletter. SUBSCRIBE to the Blog via Email or your Kindle. LIKE me on Facebook.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I think Jesus did see some distinction between his life and his work- he needed a break every now and then. I think, though, that your embrace theory rings true. Balance is a tricky thing… just when you think you’ve got it down, someone/thing shakes the beam.
Take care…