The Sky’s the Limit, Innit? Learning to Thrive Within Your LimitsSample

Learning Our Limits

As humans, we face limitations every day. We have limited time, energy, money, intellect, and skills. We have responsibilities that limit us such as raising children or caring for elderly relatives. I’m trying to lose weight and unfortunately, this means I have to limit my calorie intake (unlimited KitKat Chunkys are sadly not permitted). We live within the limits of the law. We are also limited at times due to our personality type.

I love how Jesus chose to experience many of the limits of our humanity. Jesus at times was tired, hungry, angry, experienced grief, and needed time alone to be with His Father God (all my fellow introverts said a loud amen). Jesus understands our limited lives.

Many biblical characters also had limitations, yet were still used powerfully by God. Moses feared public speaking. Gideon lacked self-confidence. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Thomas doubted.

Limits can be positive and protective e.g. we have speed limits to make travelling safer. This is to ensure we get where we need to go safely. It’s not to ruin our fun or prevent us from arriving at our destination. I believe our personal limits can similarly safeguard us. If we listen to our limits, we begin to understand when we need to say no, when we need to rest and we recognize the things God’s calling us to – and the things he isn’t calling us to. I learned that as much as I would have loved to serve God as a foster mum, that wasn’t God’s calling upon my life. I was beyond my limits. Had I tried to carry on, I may have burnt out or put too much pressure on my family. It would also have restricted me from fulfilling the things I now see truly are God’s calling on my life. So, listening to my limits in one area of life has brought me so much freedom to flourish in others.

We are all limited in different ways and need the love, care, grace, and gifting of God and other people – and they need the same from us.

Reflection

How do you feel about Jesus choosing to live within some of our human limits?

Which Bible character can you most relate to in terms of limits?

Do you like to feel self-sufficient, or do you give and receive help from others?