Remember the Star Wars movies? There was the constant call to join the resistance against the First Order and the Evil Empire. One of the most valuable gifts I’ve ever received was from one of my mentors Dr. Ted Place. For my birthday in January of 1998, he presented me with a book by Chuck Swindoll entitled, Intimacy with the Almighty. I have read this short transformational book over 50 times in the past 24 years. In fact, as I look back on my life other than the Scriptures, God has used this book to mold and shape me like few others.

Pastor Chuck outlines four decisions and four disciplines needed for those seeking greater intimacy with God. The first decision is to reorder one’s private world and the discipline is simplicity. He starts this section with “Everything around us works against reordering or simplifying our lives. Everything! Ours is a cluttered, complicated world. God did not create us this way.” If reordering your private world and simplicity is the key for greater intimacy with the Almighty the same holds true when it comes to rest and a more balanced life.

If step one is recognizing you don’t have one, step two is realizing pretty much everything in this world is working against you. You will find few advocates or voices in the marketplace or in the church for that matter, who will encourage you to pursue rest and balance in your life.

Ours is a world of consumption, comparison, and competition. We are compelled to be a hard charger in life and to just charge it if you want it! You will find that there is a huge connection between life balance and contentment. And one of the most exhausting things in life is this incessant drive and desire for more, more, more!

As you begin the journey toward rest and life balance you will need to reorder and reset your life. You will need to restore rhythm, reject the lies of the world and replace them with truth. You’ll need time to recuperate and replenish. You will need to retire old unhealthy habits and replace them with new healthy ones.

Others may mock, malign and misunderstand, but the one thing you must be is ruthless and relentless in your pursuit of rest and balance. Be ready and willing to join the resistance against everyone and everything that will try to rob you of the rest you are seeking.

• YouTube