Dear Friends,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens … Ecclesiastes 3
This past weekend, Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Church started a new series: “Living with a Margin,” with margin being defined as the space between my load and my limits. We all have physical and emotional limits; when we exceed those limits, we put a strain on our health, our relationships, and our availability to be used by God.
As he began his message, Rick explained that he has lived with a rare disease that is extremely painful and medications that have been effective in the past no longer alleviate his distress. He will be taking several weeks off as doctors try new treatments. He asked that we pray for him and explained that his doctors have told him he has no option but to reduce his work load. It sounded like the beginning of a “goodbye.”
In his message, Pastor Rick said the first step to living with a margin is: Accept your human limitations. I would add a caveat: As Pastor Rick’s life and the lives of so many indicate, we need to accept our limitations, but not overestimate them. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we make the most of what God has given us.
Of course, there are times when we hit a wall — times when our load does exceed our limits.
Choose to carry a lighter load.
On a piece of paper, make two columns — add as many rows as you need.
Things I do to satisfy my wants. Things I do for God.
________________________________ ___________________________
________________________________ ___________________________
________________________________ ___________________________
________________________________ ___________________________
Most people find that Column 1 is the one that needs trimming.
Ask what drives you to overload your life. Some people don’t have friends or family. But they are never satisfied with what they own, and they never stop working to get more. They should ask themselves, “Why am I always working to have more? Who will get what I leave behind?” What a senseless and miserable life! Ecclesiastes 4:8b (CEV)
Adding more to Column 2 may be the easiest way to lighten your load.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
I like the way the International Children’s Bible translates Jesus words, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls. The work that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is not heavy.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (ICB)
Pastor Rick suggested a couple of additional steps we can take to reduce gap between our load and our limits.
Expect there will be problems and delays. The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Proverbs 22:3 (NIV)
Add buffer space in your schedule. My takeaway: A full calendar may be a foolish calendar. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2 (NLT)
I would add, don’t forget the sabbath. Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest. Exodus 34:21 (NLT)
Prune your activities regularly. Learn the difference between “giving up” and “giving over.” When we think of pruning, we usually think of cutting away dead branches, but it is often the live branches that need to be trimmed to allow for new growth. Sometimes life changes our limits. It takes humility to know when to do some prayerful pruning.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11b
A final thought: The heaviest load is the one that is carried reluctantly. The following Scripture can help change our perspective. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 