A woman in a Christian group that I am a part of shared this quote with our group and it spoke to many of us. It says:
“Lord, you put twenty-four hours in a day, and gave me a body which gets tired and can only do so much. Show me which tasks you want me to do and help me to live prayerfully as I do them. Sharpen my senses, that I may truly
see what I am looking at,
taste what I am eating,
listen to what I am hearing,
celebrate the ways I am loved,
and offer to you whatever I am doing,
so that the water of the present moment
may be turned into wine.”
There are more good tasks on earth than any one of us can do. And God does not need or want us to try to do them all. He has given us bodies which limits our presence to one place at a time. He has made sleep a foundational part of our health. He has reminded us in His word to take regular times of rest. In Jesus’ ministry on earth, He modeled by example the importance of withdrawing for times of intentional connection with His Father. Sometimes He napped. He at times turned away from certain needs to meet others. He said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.”
The limitations we all have are a gift from God, though we kick against them at times. They remind us that He is God, and that He doesn’t need us to try to be Him. Limitations remind us to seek the will of the One who is God.
Father, please give us discretion regarding your will for our lives. May our “yes” be your “yes” and our “no” be your “no”. Help us to be attentive to your presence and where you have called us to be.