I Can't Do This!

At times, a valuable thing for us to know is our limits.

For instance, at the gym, you need to know what weight you can safely move around. When going for a run knowing how far in one direction you can go and get back safely is another (learned this one the hard way training for a marathon).

At the same time, we need to push our limits on a daily basis as we will never grow as individuals if we only do the same thing over and over. It is in the pushing, failing, learning, and adjusting where true growth occurs.

Even with that being true, there are times that recognizing we simply cannot do something hits us square between the eyes. We see this firsthand when we look at Peter and his journey. At the outset, he recognized his sin when Jesus showed up in his life. His proclamation that he was a sinful man hits home - although this is something that I prefer to hide than to admit openly as Peter did.

Then we see a case where he was doing the impossible - walking on water - and for a bit it was going great - until it wasn’t. While he was locked in on Jesus he was able to do more than he ever could have imagined, but just like the rest of us as soon as he got distracted by the world around him his focus quickly faded and he began to sink.

As I reflect upon these instances, it comforts me to know that even Peter, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jesus for 3 years, even had moments where he couldn’t achieve what he thought he could. Let’s face it, think about how many times he saw Jesus heal people, perform miracles, heck even be transfigured, yet still at his core he had moments of doubt and insecurity.

The scriptures show that whatever I think I cannot do-- the recognition of my own limits-- accurately represents only my limitations when I am not focused on serving others, and serving god. The scriptures show that when I am focused on God, focused on serving others, we all push our limits beyond our current understanding. If we surrender to God, and let God do the work through us-- not us do the work for ourselves, or for worldly gain-- then we are not limited by our own understanding, we are tools of God's understanding.

It is a powerful moment when we realize that although I'm just a guy, we see that it was just a guy that God often uses to accomplish incredible tasks. Embrace being just a guy, lean into the insecurities, let Him define you and squash the lies of the evil one with the Truths of God’s Word - you’re just a guy - now go and do what He is calling you to do!

Questions to Consider

1. Reflecting on Peter's initial reaction to Jesus' presence, how can his acknowledgment of sinfulness and unworthiness resonate with our own feelings of inadequacy in God's callings?
2. How does maintaining focus on Jesus help you overcome the "I can't do this" mindset?

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Thank You

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