“You can do anything you want.”
“You can be anything, just set your mind to it.”
Some truths exist in these statements, though accepting and applying is…rather complicated. In reality, we can’t do or be everything we may ever dream. Other times, a path is pursued only to find it slipping away from the picture we had in mind. Life sends curve balls — or life provides opportunities beyond our wildest imaginations.
Either way, the truth remains that we can’t do everything — and certainly not all at the same time.
But, what’s the encouragement in that!?
The encouragement I believe is that we were never created or called to be EVERYTHING. That gigantic task belongs to One alone. God never intended for His people to fall under the weight of thinking ‘I need to be superman or superwoman’ (read here).
We humans made that up. From the beginning, trouble came and difficulties continue still because…we desire to be God. There is tremendous freedom in understanding our position and embracing His. Yes!
Then there is the slight problem of…you know what’s coming right?….
trying to be like or comparing ourselves to others in order to define who we are.
We could talk on this all day, so I’ll just make one point: Scripture calls this ignorant.
“Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!” 2 Cor 10:12
Can I just take a long *sigh* here and say that sooo much heartache and time would have been saved in my life by simply applying this verse more? *Another long sigh*
God never intended for His people to compare themselves to one another as a standard of measurement. He alone gave us each various talents, different giftings and abilities — it was His call!
The focus is to know how He has fashioned us (what are my gifts, talents and abilities) —
and then how He would like us to put those to work (what should I be doing?) —
and what I would probably consider the most important, what is the priority right now?
You see, I can’t do everything at the same time — even if I am gifted in it, talented beyond measure and can get by on only a few hours of sleep at night (which I cannot)!
I am limited. You are limited.
So, what time is it right now?
By this I simply ask you and me both…what is the priority right now? Priority implies what must be done by me, not simply what could be done — but what must be done.
What is the current God-ordained season of life — and what must we do?
Let’s continue the conversation tomorrow and talk of a few practical helps to answer the question.
Grace until then…
updated to add:
part 2 ~ defining the season :: a few questions to help
