Embracing Your Limits
Hi, my name is Carla, and I am a recovering workaholic.
It may sound funny, but it’s true! One of my greatest struggles in life has been learning how to REST. For years, I used to push myself to my limits. I would work sun up till sun down, and continue to work even after the sun went down. I would work weekdays and weekends. Time off was not in my vocabulary. I deeply value work ethic and naturally have a deep desire to make a difference in this world, all of which are good things, yet when not executed within the boundaries that God designed for humanity to operate in, they can be fatal.
God created humans with limitations and one of the greatest gifts in life is learning how to embrace your limits.
I remember years ago I was burning it at both ends (per usual) and I came to a point where I was so busy working, hustling, and striving. When I finally stopped to a second to look in a mirror, I didn’t even recognize the person staring back at me. I didn’t know who I was anymore and I certainly didn’t like who I had become. I was frustrated and frazzled. The people and places that used to feel like blessings now felt like burdens. I didn’t enjoy my life anymore and my relationship with the Lord felt more like duty than it did delight. I finally came to a point where I knew: This can’t be right. There must be more to life than just this. I don't just want to exist, I want to live.
I knew I couldn’t keep going on like this. Something had to change. So, I did what every person does when they are on the verge of a mental breakdown… I booked a one way plane ticket to Italy. Actually, I booked a ticket to go back home. (In case you didn't know, I’m Italian - born and raised on the Island of Capri, Italy. It’s pretty great, you should look it up! But, that’s besides that point. Back to the mental breakdown moment…)
I decided to spend two weeks on the remote island of Capri - no laptop, no Wifi, no planner, no to do list. Just me, my journal, and Jesus. I even got a burner phone so I could truly escape the demands that used to come with every “ding.” It was during these two weeks away from the world that the Lord began to teach me how to bring down my internal RPMs. He began to lovingly convict my heart and remind me of a better way, the only way, to truly live.
There is a reason that rest isn’t a suggestion in Scripture, it’s a command. God knew that we aren’t superhuman. We’re simply human. He did not create us to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s why night exists. That’s why the Sabbath exists. That’s why God instructs us to take a day and dedicate it to Him.
Exodus 20:8-11 says, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
If God needed to rest, you do too! You’re not God… and yet how many times do we, in our pride, try to act like God by living life as if we had no limitations? You can’t do it all and that’s okay. There’s a beauty that’s found in rest. When we rest, we remember that ultimately we’re not the ones making it all happen. It’s the power and the strength of Almighty God at work within in us.
Today’s blog post is a reminder to myself and an encouragement to you - embrace your limits. Listen to your body and more importantly, listen to the Creator of your body. Take a day each week to REST, RECOVER, and RESET. REMEMBER God on this day and all that He’s done for you. I promise when you learn this discipline, everything changes. It did for me, and I believe it will for you too.
Much love friends!!
Xo,
Carla
