Take Time For You

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.

“See you tomorrow!” I called as my coworker walked into the elevator. Once again, I was the last one to leave the office. The hours I stayed late or came in early were quiet and calm, so I could actually get work done without being overtaken with meetings. I pulled out a bag of chips from my desk and settled in for another two or three hours of work. On my drive home at 10:00 p.m., I called my best friend, Kim, to catch up.

“Hey,” she answered, flatly.

“Hey,” I said. “You okay?”

“Tonight was Kristi’s going-away party; she leaves for Kenya tomorrow.”

My heart dropped. I’d forgotten about the party for my cousin who’d answered God’s call to serve in Kenya for a year.

For the remainder of the drive home, Kim spoke boldly to me about the dangers of letting my career consume me. “Overworking is taking a toll on your health and on your relationships,” she said.

It was true. Lately, it felt like I practically lived at the office. So I asked Kim for help. We set up a daily phone call at 6:30 p.m. so that we could read a passage from the Bible and pray together. The timing would allow me to get home, get comfortable, and meet with Kim on the phone.

Soon, I began to see the benefits of having balance, and I arranged my schedule to allow for more God time.

Has work gotten so large in your life that it’s starting to affect your relationships and your health? Scripture tells us to work for the Lord and not people—not your boss, but not yourself either. Work for the Lord, period. Burning yourself out and alienating others do not indicate a career given to the Lord. Set boundaries, include time for yourself and for serving others, and begin to gain a healthy balance.

Rest Assured

Father, help me spend my time wisely and responsibly. Provide opportunities for me to rest and serve others.

Rest in Him: Matthew 6:19-21