As I (Giles) reflect on these past few weeks, after having left my job of eight years to devote full attention to getting us to the mission field, I am realizing several things. One primary realization is that until I was released from my job, I did not know how much of my life it actually consumed. There were stresses I was not even aware of until being released from the servitude of it. I do not discount that I have grown and gained amazing relationships through my former job, but I also acknowledge that it pulled me away from what God desires for me.
Hebrews 3:7-8 (ESV) states, “Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.” I have begun to realize that in striving to balance my professional life with my spiritual life, all I was essentially doing was hardening my heart to the Lord’s calling.
As I begin to see God’s plan for my wife and me taking shape in preparing us for overseas missions, I now question what I was waiting for.
Is this not the challenge that so many of us face? By no means am I stating that in working at a job, raising a family, or whatever you are currently pursuing that you are ignoring His calling upon your life. However, I am positing this: If you believe that you can balance this earthly kingdom with His Kingdom, you likely are sacrificing the latter.
In praying to the Father for His disciples, Jesus states, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:15-16 (ESV). What does this passage mean to us as Christ-followers? We are obviously in the world for a time, but what are we doing with that brief time? Are we sincerely allowing the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives and direct our paths? Or are we hardening our hearts to the Spirit’s conviction through our choices, priorities, and plans? Do our actions and attitudes genuinely reflect that we are of His Kingdom and not of this world? Or are we trying to keep a foot in both kingdoms?
God’s Word does not speak of the kind of “kingdom balance” that we often try to maintain. Rather, Matthew 6:24 puts it fairly bluntly: “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you will end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.” (Notice how both “money” and “God” are capitalized in this translation from The Message.)
I ask these questions as much for myself as other believers: What am I worshiping at this moment? Do I believe there is a balance or that there is supposed to be one?
A Life Called to Love 
So well said! I easily recall numerous moments that as a follower of Jesus other well intentioned (usually older and wiser people),encouraged me to be balanced. The pursuit of balance always seemed futile.
When our three kids were super young I coordinated a moms of preschoolers group. It brought so much joy and filled many of my days with meetings and phone calls. Seeking balance I also attended another MOPS group where I was strictly a member. As an attendee I was able to soak in the teaching and giftings of others trying to gain balance from the stresses of coordinating a different MOPS group. One summer the group decided to do something new and hold summer meetings in more of a book study format with a little BIble lesson tossed in. I don't remember the name of the study but the cover of the pink book was branded on my brain. A scale with a fulcrum point and on each side of scale were perfectly balanced icons such as a briefcase, diaper bag, beautiful clothes, food, and probably a mini van and an ironing board. The first time we gathered for our group discussion I refuted the idea that any part of our lives could or should be held in balance as the picture suggested. God has taught me so many lessons in being all in for Him. Perhaps if the concept of balance must be used then we should speak of God as our fulcrum, the tipping point. From this picture of a tipping point no matter which way it tips all our responsibilities and responses flow from Him, the only True center.
Balance seems allusive to me as I would simply prefer to focus on who God is and flow from there. And I am pretty sure the group of ladies I challenged the first day of that study group did not invite me back.