Since I finished my PhD late 2024, I now have a little more time for hobbies. I learned a little bit about music production and I released two songs on my new YouTube page.
The first one is “God opened the door.” The second one is “Abiyamo Orun.”
My sister wrote and produced her song titled “Save me.”
Enjoy!
When you think of the word “balance”, what comes to your mind? For me, in the past, I thought of a picture of a balance scale in which one stone on the left side weighs exactly the same as three stones on the right and it is perfect and plum.
But balance, when it comes to work life balance, is not a noun. It is not that static image that shows up on google about the stones. Balance is a verb and a verb is an action word. Balance is something you do constantly. Several factors continue to shift and you respond to them. You perform the balancing act. Perhaps you already know this.
But here’s where I’m going. If there’s a moment, you feel that things are out of balance. Remember that this moment does not define you. This moment describes a static experience, a noun-moment, if you will pardon the grammar. This moment tells you that there is a need to take the action of balancing.
Secondly, because balance is a verb, something you do and not a static state, it means that the process of balancing is continuous.
Give yourself some grace especially when things feel so out of balance.
Ex 16:20:8-11 8 “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.
This commandment is very striking. Take note of the list of beings that get to rest. First it is all humans regardless of their social status and position: male and female, parents and children, masters and slaves; and citizens and foreigners. Second, not just humans but also animals: such as livestock. The reason for this goes back to Genesis 1. Because God rested and the 7th day is holy this is why everyone human and animal too must rest.
In our world today it is easy to get the impression that rest is a luxury: that you have to be rich to be able to “afford” that trip or that you work before you earn “vacation” time or that it is when you “retire” you can rest. The Bible in this passage tells us something different. Everyone no matter of status is required to rest because their rest is holy. All humans are equal in rest. Humans and working animals too are equal in their rest.
Say with me: It doesn’t matter my social status, financial status, or even what the Human Resource department says. God says I deserve rest.
Ask yourself: How can I ignore the noise of the world and treat my rest as sacred activity today?
Sometimes the reason we don’t rest enough is because we undermine the amount of work we do.
It seems clear that when you have an employment that pays you to do something, then what you do is “work”. Whether or not you’re paid, you may be working. Here are other examples of work.
I wish I could give you a straightforward definition of work. But I don’t have any to give. Instead I offer you some suggestions to help you know when you’ve “worked”.
Reflect on all the ways you’re working hard. When you realize just how much it is, you may find it easier to take time to rest.
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Eccl. 3:9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
The passage under focus today comes immediately after the popular verses of “there’s a time to die, a time to live…” In the verses above, the preacher (the writer of Ecclesiastes), teaches that it is God’s gift for people to eat and drink and take pleasure in their work. Verse 10 and 13 show God giving us the gift of work and the gift to enjoy work.
There was a time I would tell myself, “if worrying was a profession, that’s the job I would do.” I had a habit of thinking so much about my past and my future. I told myself that “if I do all the extra work now, I can retire early or have a better retirement.” This kind of thinking led me to working excessively and postponing my joy till retirement.
Perhaps you are like my former self. Even if you’re not, our passage today asks us to consider the balance between work and rest. Both are gifts from God. Stop cheating yourself.
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You’re probably familiar with the concept of a work ethic. These are the ideals, values and principles that you live by as it relates to your work. As an example, my work ethic includes that I show up on time for my appointments, I strive for excellence in my work, and I keep my commitments.
You likely have a work ethic. Now, do you have a rest ethic? If not, it is time to design one. Your rest ethic, just like your work ethic, is the ideals, values, and principles that you live by as it relates to your rest. As an example, my rest ethic includes that I go to bed by 8pm every single day, I cook my own food at least 4 times a week, I check in with my body at least once a day, and I drink at least one full glass of water before or after I go to the bathroom.
Your rest ethic can look different from mine. In fact, my rest ethic has changed as my life and work have changed. What matters the most is that you define your rest ethic. It will help you rest more.
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End-gaining is a term I learned from the Alexander Technique, a physical rehabilitation technique. End-gaining is when we prioritize and put all our focus on the goal that we do not pay attention to the process by which we reach that goal. Here are some examples
– You want to turn in your 10-page paper by the 11pm deadline today. You ignore the fact that you’re hungry, tired and in need of sleep.
-You’re so focused on your promotion at work that you do not mind whose toes you step on to get there.
-You’re so focused on sharing your opinion that you don’t care whose feelings get hurt in the way.
-You’re so focused on the kingdom of God, you have little respect for the earth.
-You’re so focused at the work that you’re doing on your desk that you are not paying attention to your slouched shoulders, and overall bad posture.
How else can you be end-gaining at the moment? Please find ways to stop. If you wonder whether the end justifies the means, then please consider that end-gaining may be short-changing your well-being. (And yes, that was supposed to rhyme).
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HALT is an acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired.
Before starting a new task, a meeting, or if you’re wondering if you are okay, if you’d like to check in with yourself, this acronym is a good question to ask yourself. Take a moment to ask yourself, “Am I hungry, angry, lonely or tired right now?”
Asking yourself this quick question can save you from making statements or taking actions you will regret later. When we are HALT, our brains don’t work as well as they normally would. Our emotions and hormones are all over the place. Our capacity to respond rationally dwindles.
By asking yourself this question, you give yourself an opportunity to address it. If you realize you’re hungry, you can eat something before starting the next thing. Even if you can’t eat, being aware helps you be more mindful of yourself.
If you’re HALT, then halt.
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On days when it feels like you must keep working and working non-stop, here is a Bible passage for you to reflect on.
Better is a handful with quiet
Ecclesiastes 4:6
than two handfuls with toil
and a chasing after wind.
You deserve TROG, the rest of God!
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
You likely already know that to live a productive life and purposeful life, as Christians, we need God’s wisdom and understanding. This passage calls our attention to the fact that sleep itself also requires wisdom and understanding if it would be sweet. Contrary to the belief that rest means “doing nothing”. Rest requires work, relying on God’s wisdom and understanding to make happen. I pray that God grants us this wisdom and understanding to sleep sweetly.
Everything Shola 