The Work-Life Balance Myth: Looking to Jesus in All That We Do

We all have work to do. Recently, during our morning routine, my three-year-old told me that going potty was too hard and that it just took too much energy. Impatient and exhausted from pleading with her and offering M&M’S, I tried a new strategy. I shared with her that God designed us for work and that this was the work God had for her this morning—talk about the things I never thought I’d say to my child and just smile at now! I asked how I could help her with this work. She replied that she wanted me to read her a story while she pottied. That simple. 

We all resist work in various ways, don’t we? Perhaps it’s the doomscroll on our phones instead of washing dishes or avoiding an email because we don’t want to agree to that extra ask. We can feel entitled to resist; culture tells us that we deserve relaxation—an easy life. And so, when life feels like a lot of work and little relaxation, we’re left to wonder what we should be doing differently. For moms juggling income-producing work alongside home and family responsibilities, we feel the added pressure of finding that elusive “work-life balance”—which doesn’t actually exist. 

One Commission, Two Traps 

In God’s kingdom, our various roles and callings flow together to accomplish his mission. Immediately following the creation of man and woman, God commissioned them to both 1) be fruitful and multiply and 2) have dominion over the earth.[1] It was not two disparate commands; it was one command that called mankind into God’s work. In today’s world, though, we often separate this charge and draw boundaries around our “work life” and our “home life” that were never part of God’s design.

As income-producing moms, sometimes we feel a tension between our callings of motherhood and vocation. Culture leads us to believe that it’s in our best interest—and our family’s—that we attain a perfect balance between them. But in practice, we often fall into the trap of emphasizing one calling at the expense of faithfulness in the other. For example, we may be tempted to elevate the image-bearers in our homes above those we encounter in the workplace (thus reducing our income-producing work to little more than a paycheck). Or we might be tempted to spend all our best energy at our jobs trying to be good stewards of our gifts (leaving little to invest into our families). Yet, when we remember our big-picture commission to shine as gospel lights in the world, we see that everything we do has the opportunity to honor God by pointing others to him.[2]

We can also fall into a second trap of trying to exert 100% in our career and 100% in our home life. That only leaves us feeling empty inside—like we will never measure up or be enough in either space. (“I’m just not cutting it” is a phrase I have often said to my counselor.) When we are chasing this work-life balance ideal—or idol—there is an opportunity each day for one of these callings to triumph over the other, leaving us in a spiral of shame. Neither defines our value and purpose as women. Neither belongs on the throne. When our work isn’t viewed holistically and biblically, these callings of great importance can lead us to miss the true Master we are here to serve.

Obedience, Trust, and Rest

Ultimately, God hasn’t given us conflicting callings. But he does want us to come humbly to him for help and wisdom to understand how these things fit together in the life he’s given us. We can regularly and prayerfully decide what to prioritize and how to spend our time, given the needs of our family and our individual limits. Instead of striving after a worldly concept of work-life balance, we can view all things before us as God’s work that he has invited us into. And we can abide in him as we work, so that we may obey his Word and flourish where he calls us. 

Alongside many noble qualities, the God-fearing woman of Proverbs 31 “works with willing hands” (Prov. 31:13). Whether leading meetings, answering emails, changing a diaper for the third time in ten minutes, or driving kids to soccer practice—it is the posture of our heart that pleases the Lord above our outputs.

So, let’s turn our eyes to Jesus—when we feel the weight of trying to achieve a work-life balance and when the world tells us we should be able to do it all. Jesus is the One who did it all. He perfectly upheld the law, obeyed the Father, and completed his mission. Jesus is the One who has an easy yoke and who keeps our burden light.[3] Instead of striving, he calls us to rest in him—so that we may be guided by the One who knows the Father’s ways and will shoulder what we cannot bear. What freedom and relief. He will make paths clear to us by ensuring we stay alongside him[4]—not running ahead like we so badly desire. We will know him better, see him more clearly, and praise his name even more when we abide in him. So, whether in the boardroom or the backyard, let’s obey where he calls, trust in his plans, and rest in his presence as we work.

[1] Genesis 1:28

[2] Matthew 5:16; Colossians 3:17

[3] Matthew 11:28-30

[4] Proverbs 3:6