Embracing Limits

Our limits are a feature, not a bug. We were designed this way - to NOT be able to control everything and everyone. In fact, we can barely even manage ourselves.

One of the clearest images of this in the bible is the Hebrew concept of when the day starts - which is in the evening. That’s why it says in the creation account:

“There was evening and there was morning, the first day.” - Genesis 1:5

Did you notice that evening came BEFORE morning? That’s because the day starts when the sun goes down. That’s why the sabbath always started with sundown on a Friday. The idea is simple: as we are winding down our days and going to bed, God is at work. When we rise up in the morning, we are not starting things anew, but rather joining in what God has already begun. Simply put, we are not in control.

One of the things Brenna pointed out a couple of weeks ago is that we are also not in control of changing other individuals. She quoted the old Rabbi and therapist Edwin Friedman:  “... If you want your child, spouse, client, or boss to shape up [change], stay connected while changing yourself rather than trying to fix them.”

Today, how can you surrender control, get in on what God is already up to, and focus on changing yourself?