balancing homemaking and ministry (2) some opening thoughts

Nowhere in the Bible will you find a verse saying, "Women should do exactly this much inside the home. Women should do exactly this much outside the home." And isn't that a relief? God doesn't give us a set of rules to obey in this area. This is an issue of wisdom, godly discernment, and freedom.

So the mix will look different for each of us. Our personalities, our husband's preferences, our particular situation, the needs of our children, the context we live in, the needs which surround us: all have an impact on how much, and what, ministry we do outside our home, or from our home.

Our health and energy levels, whether we're introverts or extroverts, our gifts and season of life: nothing exempts us from the responsibility to love those inside and outside our homes, but we shouldn't compare ourselves to other women and feel guilty, judgemental or envious because they are able to do more or less ministry than us.

Let's not forget what a privilege it is even to be asking these questions. How many women in the world are prosperous and unburdened enough to be considering the balance between work, ministry and homemaking? Very few women throughout history have had our smorgasbord of choices.

Women in countries torn by war, famine, or persecution, or those of us who are single mothers, caring for a disabled child, or struggling with a chronic illness, will have far less discretionary time and energy than many of us. Which doesn't mean these aren't good questions to ask: but let's remember what a privilege it is to be asking them.

Let's also remember that even our best-laid plans don't guarantee a perfectly balanced life. We don't know what joys or griefs God has in store for us. My friend was reminded of the temporary nature of our plans when she had a breast cancer scare, her father-in-law died, her son was seriously ill, and both her sons became engaged, within 12 months or so.

I make plans, but I make them knowing they depend on God's providence: next year may look completely different than I imagine (Jam. 4:13-17).

I'm assuming we're all godly women, who want to care for our families and homes, and who also have a heart for people outside our home, so that we long to help other women to grow, serve in our churches, share the gospel with our friends, and reach out to the needy. These are the last days, when there's an urgent need for people to know and grow in Christ.

It's right to want to serve our husbands and children faithfully, and to reach out to the world around us. No wonder we sometimes feel torn between the two! These are godly burdens and godly questions to have.

Tomorrow, I'd like to look more specifically at exactly how you and I might go about making decisions about balancing ministry inside and outside the home.

images are from stock.xchng