During the school year, I find myself divided between two responsibilities: my homework and my job. Often, I am so encased by schoolwork that I neglect to finish the duties my boss has designated for me. When I take the time to do my actual work, my mind cannot help but stray to the reading and studying that I have yet to complete. Instead of finding a balance, I focus too hard on one responsibility or the other, stressing about whichever one I have yet to finish. The same can also happen in Christian living.
Two areas of focus in a Christian’s spiritual walk involve witnessing to others and growing in the faith. It is easy to focus too much on one or the other.
Some people devote their entire lives to witnessing to others. They continually work in service of the church or go from one mission field to another without enough time to catch their breath. While there is nothing wrong with serving others and spreading the message of the gospel, being in continual service could lead to neglect in one’s own spiritual life. We should not forget what James 4:8 states, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinner; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some people dedicate themselves solely to their own spiritual growth that they neglect to serve others. They take the statement of “meditate therein day and night” in Joshua 1:8 to an extreme. One example of this is monasticism. Early monks believed that the best way to achieve a Christ-like, fully obedient, and temptation-free life was to live in solitude and devote themselves completely to praying and studying the teachings of the Bible.
While the intent behind this lifestyle was noble, it disregards the Great Commission set forth in Matthew 28:19. There are still people who focus fully on their own spiritual development. This is not wrong as we have a responsibility to grow in our relationship with God. It’s this relationship that helps us to grow in knowledge and understanding. As 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
However, this is not knowledge that we should keep to ourselves. Becoming more rooted in the Christian faith is not only for our benefit, but it gives us the tools to effectively witness to others. First Peter 3:15 states, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Our spiritual growth and witness go hand-in-hand, but sometimes it might be difficult to balance these responsibilities, especially if we have excuses. Maybe there is not enough time, so we choose one responsibility over another. Or someone who does not like to socialize might choose to overcompensate with extreme personal devotion. Or someone might take on the spiritual problems of others as a way to avoid working on their own.
Whatever is going on in our lives, we should try to find a balance between personal devotion and witnessing, not only for our benefit but for the benefit of others. This balance can lead to a healthier spiritual life and allow us to fulfill two aspects of our Christian walk effectively.
