The Beauty of Balance: Don’t Let Busyness Steal Your Joy
Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 17 August 2025
Luke 10:40 (NIV):
"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’”
When Serving Becomes Striving
We all know the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus was visiting their home. Mary sat at His feet, listening. Martha was busy serving, preparing, working hard.
But in Luke 10:40, we read that Martha was distracted. Not sinful. Not rebellious. Just distracted. She was doing a good thing, but missing the best thing.
And isn’t that the story of many of our lives? We’re rushing, working, multitasking, always moving, but not always living. We’ve mastered the art of doing, but forgotten the beauty of being.
Balance Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom
Here’s what I’ve learnt as a pastor, husband, and friend: If you want to enjoy life, you must learn to live in balance. Work, worship, play, and rest; they all matter. When one takes over, your soul begins to suffer.
All work with no play? You become joyless.
All worship but no rest? You burn out.
All activity and no margin? You lose peace.
All giving and no receiving? You become dry.
Balance is not about perfection. It’s about rhythms. It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about knowing what matters in each moment.
A Burnout Wake-Up Call
I remember years ago, someone I looked up to in ministry had to step back because of complete burnout. He was preaching, counselling, leading every day, every evening. He rarely took breaks. He felt guilty for resting. Until one day, his body crashed. His joy was gone. His family felt distant.
That experience taught me something: If the enemy can’t make you sin, he’ll try to make you busy. Busy doing good things, but out of balance.
3 Ways to Find God’s Balance for Your Life
1. Know When to Say ‘Yes’ and When to Say ‘No’
Not every opportunity is a calling. Martha said “yes” to serving, but missed the moment to simply be with Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit daily:
“Lord, what’s my assignment today? What do You want me to say no to?”
Boundaries are not unspiritual; they’re essential for joy.
2. Honour the Sabbath Principle
God worked for six days and rested on the seventh, not because He was tired, but to model balance.
We need intentional rest:
Physical rest
Mental rest
Spiritual renewal
Fun and laughter with those we love
Don’t feel guilty for resting. Rest is worship.
3. Enjoy God, Not Just Serve Him
Sometimes we think pleasing God means constant doing. But He delights when we sit at His feet. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Yes, serve. But also soak in His presence.
Yes, work. But also worship.
Yes, build. But also breathe.
A Word for the Marthas
If you’re more like Martha, detail-oriented, practical, get-things-done, that’s not wrong. Jesus didn’t rebuke her personality. He corrected her priority.
He said, “Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:41–42)
Let the Spirit remind you:
It’s okay to pause.
It’s okay to rest.
It’s okay to say, “I need time with Jesus.”
You’re not being lazy, you’re being wise.
Life is too precious to live constantly overwhelmed. Yes, work hard. Be responsible. Serve diligently. But don’t forget to rest, play, laugh, worship, and breathe.
Jesus didn’t come to give you a full calendar. He came to give you life and life in abundance. (John 10:10)
So today, slow down. Sit at His feet. Simplify your heart. And let Him teach you the beauty of balance.