You may have noticed that our culture subtly trains us to think of ourselves as the main character. Movies center on a protagonist who overcomes impossible odds. Superheroes save the day. Even reality shows are often edited to frame someone as the bold hero. Without realizing it, we can adopt this same mindset in our own lives. Our natural self-centeredness gets a cultural boost.
But in the Kingdom of God, the story is not about us being the hero—it is about God being the hero. In Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Pete Scazzero writes about God’s Gift of Limitations. We all have limits, and they are not flaws to overcome but gifts that remind us of the truth: He is God, and we are not.
Scripture is filled with reminders of this:
- The Sabbath, in part, teaches us that the world goes on when we stop.
- God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- It is not by strength nor by might, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
- The body of Christ is made of many members with different gifts (1 Corinthians 12).
- God is all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere at once; we are not.
Our limitations protect us from the illusion that we are self-sufficient superheroes. They lead us to rely on the One who truly is mighty to save.
Instead of blindly pushing past your limits, learn to thank God for them. Let them be a doorway into deeper dependence on Him. Rest when you need rest. Ask for help when you need help. Trust that the work God is doing does not depend on your might or strength.
Where might God be inviting you to embrace a limit as His gift to keep you humble, peaceful, and close to Him?
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)