Samuel E Matteson,
Physics,
University of North Texas
[Jan 9, 2011] —
“High above the crowd, Fido suddenly realized that he was an old dog and that this was a new trick.”
So read the caption of one on my favorite Far Side cartoons by Gary Larson that depicts a dog balancing on a high wire. I thought about this when I was asked by a Christian graduate students’ group to speak on the balance between career and family.
When I told my wife, the person who knows me best, the topic, she could not restrain her laughter. I am an old dog and after nearly 25 years working at it I am still trying to learn this new trick.
So to prepare for my presentation, I did what any academic would do: I gathered data and reflected on the topic: I read about time management; I asked trusted colleagues what was their experience; I thought about what I heard. When I inquired as to how they have maintained a balance between their scholarship, teaching, home life and spiritual disciplines, my query was met with chuckles, eye-rolling and embarrassed replies.
Balance is Important
On one hand, our profession demands that we attend to our scholarship with its duties of research and professional writing, teaching and service. The pursuit of tenure particularly demands focus and productivity. Yet such pursuits are more than a necessity since it was God who ordained work and declared it “good.”
Conversely, many a marriage has shipwrecked on the shoals of career. While my work can and does glorify God when I do it a-right, I have had to repent of my own self-seeking, of making my work an idol that looks very much like a little me. How often have I excused myself from family and attention to God’s kingdom to build my own kingdom because it met some deep ego need to feel important, to “matter?”
I have also found myself wasting hours chatting cordially with colleagues, or even gossiping, pretending that I am attending to administration or even “ministry” when what I was really doing was bolstering my own self esteem.
This problem of balance comes down to choices—and intention. As one colleague remarked, “Balance does not happen without intentionality. In my life, my default mode is self interest and work. My home and God always suffer unless I prayerfully seek God’s best.”
Wisdom Guides our Steps
How am I to decide if staying late at the office or lab is the right thing to do or not? To do this now or later?
I believe the Bible calls the answer to that question “wisdom:” the God-given knowledge of what is best to do in each specific circumstance. I say “God-given” because, while experience often teaches us, I have just as often slept through the lesson and had to repeat it.
Fortunately, our generous Father invites us to class, in the words of James (1:5), “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
God’s wisdom may come from an insight in prayer or Bible reading. It may be delivered through the words of my spouse, or a friend. I pray that I may be quick to listen, whatever the source.
As 2011 begins, perhaps there is hope for an old dog after all.
© 2011 Samuel E. Matteson
CC Image courtesy of jibber11 on flickr