“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3 NLT)
Have you ever worked so hard or run so long you were exhausted to the point you couldn’t rest? This is part of the message of the above verse – don’t wear yourselves out in God’s service to the point you have nothing left.
The people I know who love Jesus the most aren’t likely to see themselves as better than they are. It’s more likely they’ll push themselves harder to get more done, not to honor themselves, but Jesus. They’re the kind of people I admire, yet, don’t often see them after a long, hard day when their exhaustion leaves little for themselves or their family.
Writer Janel Breitenstein wrote: “I love to ignore my own capacity. Sometimes it’s the natural outcome of a large view of me and a small view of God. But too often, people in my innermost circle must ante up for my lack of discernment and courage to draw the line, to think too highly of myself rather than with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).
My husband’s words from years ago still ricochet in my brain: ‘Sometimes your overcommitment affects how the gospel—Jesus’ love—is played out in our home.’ I love less well, and with less joy. Sometimes I’m asking, ‘What if I don’t do this?’ Instead of, ‘What might God desire if I said no?’ Rarely do we hold other believers accountable for the fourth commandment: To rest, to Sabbath. What could our marriages be with a little more headspace? Enjoyment of God? Capacity for emotional engagement? Rest?”
Good questions! Questions with which we should wrestle, not only for ourselves, but for our family members and brothers and sisters with whom we labor for the Lord. Admittedly, some have a much greater capacity to serve longer and work harder than I do in this stage of my life, but we owe it to our friends and loved ones to watch their back when they are clearly pushing the proverbial “envelope.”
What are some signs we’re living on the edge? Pushing harder and longer than we have the capacity to push? Often, for me, it’s I zone out, withdraw, find little solace in the presence of others. I want to be left alone, not necessarily to rest or relax, but to have a “pity party.” I get so wrapped up in myself there’s little or no room for anyone else.
How about you? What does exhaustion look like for you? And I’m not referring simply to physical exhaustion. Sometimes what robs me of my energy is my emotional, mental, and/or spiritual investments. Seeing ourselves with sober judgment means measuring our capacity to live and love like Jesus by accurately measuring our “service” tank. What does that mean?
It means being aware of the people or things that most quickly drain us. There are things we love to do and people with whom we love to share our time, but there are also chores that drain us physically and people who drain us emotionally. But here’s the kicker, we have to help each other, because the truth is, we aren’t always the best one to gauge how much we can tolerate. That’s why we need each other to watch our backs.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 