Does the Bible address the issue of balance? Is balance a possibility, or is it a myth?

In Genesis, at the creation of the cosmos, there is a sense of order and symmetry established by the Creator God. Six days of work, and then on the seventh day God rested from His work. There is a rhythm, a cadence that comes with living on planet earth.

God gave the first couple a job: tend the land. Work is good. “If a man does not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). God affirms working hard, frowns on laziness and idleness, but also commands us to rest.

When I look to Jesus as our example, it seems Jesus knew how to organize His life: times to be alone, (“he went up to the mountain to pray”), appearances with individuals (Zaccheus, Nicodemus, woman at the well), and hours with large groups of people (Jesus teaching in the temple or feeding the 5,000). We also catch Jesus sleeping through stormy weather.

So I have been asking myself, “What are the non- negotiable categories for a balanced lifestyle?” Below, I’ve listed my target areas; plus, I am committed to taking a regular, weekly Sabbath as my day of worship, family time and rest. What are some of your goals?

1. Family Life: I have a daily sit-down with my wife to check in, discuss our lives. I drive my son to school each morning, play 10 minutes of basketball with him a few times a week, then read with Andrew and put him to bed. We have dinner together as a family five nights a week. Once a week, barring emergencies, Rhonda and I have a date night—just us—usually for dinner and a movie.

2. Work Goals: My job as a professor is usually six to eight hours, five days a week, plus some weekend speaking engagements.

3. Friendships and mentoring: I meet with 10 to 15 friends, students, colleagues and youth workers in a given month for discipleship.

4. Exercise: This consumes about one hour at the gym each day, six days a week.

5. Rest: I take two or three power naps (10 to 20 minutes) a week. Naps are a gift from God. (Amen?)

6. Playful diversions: We all need diversions. Mine are college and NFL football, walking at the local park and going to the beach—my ways to detox from ministry.

7. Spiritual disciplines: Choosing regular prayer, Scripture reading, and study is not a rule, but a lifestyle. Fasting once a month helps me measure and monitor my internal life.

Austin Klein says in his New York Times bestseller Steal Like an Artist, “in this age of information abundance and overload, those who get ahead will be the folks who figure out what to leave out, so they can concentrate on what’s really important to them.”

The focus of Scripture is not about our schedules, but about embracing the call to be fully present to God and people. Start each day by asking Jesus for wisdom and discernment. Invite some trusted friends and mentors to give input for your soul. Remember that not every day will be balanced. There will be times of crisis, interruptions and obstacles.

I am convinced there always will be tension when it comes to living a balanced life.

So how do I know what is the right thing to do at this moment? What do I do when my life feels lopsided, out of whack? Right now, there’s a football game on TV, and I want to stop working on this article and watch my team. Can life be managed in a healthy way?

I’m not really sure, because my wife is asking me to take out the garbage.