I have been struggling with the juggling of the past couple of months, trying to make the number of things that I’m working on look as elegant as watching an experienced juggler. As usual, I have failed miserably!

Juggling is fine for a short time, as the juggler skilfully manipulates the balls to great effect for an admiring audience, but it requires such concentration to keep the balls in the air! Juggling, after all, is simply a time bound performance. It may be exhilarating when we start but it is folly to think that we can maintain such an illusion for any extended length of time…

…and yet, from time to time, I still have a bad habit of taking on more than I can reasonably hold, so that instead of being a graceful vison of competence, I am left exhausted from the experience.

I wonder if you often take on more than you can manage, leaving yourself drained and depleted, unable to give of your best to anything?
For me, it’s never usually that all the things I have taken on are unmanageable or stressful. In fact, the attraction is often that the things are all really exciting. The difficulty is that I have chosen to take them on all at once.

Honouring God
Scripture explains that all we do, including our choices and work, is supposed to honour the Lord.

"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3: 17

So, when I go my own way, choosing to take on more than I can reasonably juggle, I am dishonouring the One in whom I try to trust. I am not being a faithful witness when my own choices give way to weary grumpiness. Instead, my choices in all things (including work) are meant to encourage Christ-like characteristics that embody a better way…

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Wholehearted
Scripture explains that our work should be wholehearted.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

If I am over weary, then I can hardly give of my all. It is easy to forget that, in our work, as in all things, it is Christ we serve. Self-care that allows for sensible rest and restorative Sabbath moments throughout the rhythm of our days, actually allows us to live wholeheartedly, enabling us instead to give our all.

Easy Yoke
The Lord does not expect us to bear a load that is too heavy, nor juggle endless balls. Often, when I find myself feeling over-burdened, it is usually the times I have gone my own way, choosing busyness over doing business with God.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

The yoke that God gives each one of us, is unique to us… individually designed that we might be the people he has made us to be - so that we are able to fulfil our true potential with a greater ease, as we place our trust in Him.

Seeking God
So how might I achieve these three things in my life, and avoid struggling with the juggling? I think that it is about not going my own way, thinking I know best but simply seeking out the whispers of God’s voice in my ordinary daily life and following the voice that leads to restoration and rest, alongside fulfilment of a unique purpose.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

It’s not an easy task… and I, for one, need the constant reminder that God has got this. Struggling with the juggling is the world’s way, and yes, I often get it wrong. Yet the Lord is the God of new beginnings, so when I get it wrong, I can return to Him, to begin again, anew, tackling only that which God has in mind for me.