You Can't Do It All

It's that time of year again when we all set our new year's resolutions. 

This year I’m going to...

read a book a week. 
be more intentional with my kids.
get a better hold of my finances. 
serve regularly in the community. 
cut out sugar from my diet.
train for and run a marathon.
start a side business. 
remodel the bathroom. 

It's not uncommon for an individual to have multiple items like this on a list of new year's resolutions. 

It's also not uncommon for people to have abandoned some of these goals, if not all of their goals, even though we are only two weeks into the new year. 

That happens because we're not very good at acknowledging and accepting our limits. The reality is, "You can't do it all." 

 I'm still learning this even though I just turned forty a few weeks back. 

I went into 2021 with a very thoughtful writing plan, but as soon as one-third of our staff transitioned off our team and we bought a new house, I realized that my priorities for the year would have to change. As I looked at what I could actually accomplish, writing had to go. 

I tried to rationalize, strategize, and bargain to keep on pace with my writing. I thought,

I’ll stay up extra late.
I'll squeeze it in between meetings.
I'll skip out on a little family time. 

This isn't the first time or season of life I've had to let my writing go. When I acknowledge where it falls within the scope of my calling and top responsibilities, it's an easy decision to make.  

Limits and capacity aren't simply a practical reality. They're also a spiritual reality. In Mark 1, Jesus is asked by the people of a town to stay and minister to them. Indirectly, He says, "No." Because He knows His primary calling is leading Him to continue to another village to minister there (v35-38). He knew that He couldn't do it all and had to choose. 

By fully surrendering our lives to Christ, it causes us to embrace our limits rather than push against them. In doing so, it's an acknowledgment of our humanity and teaches us dependence. If Jesus couldn't do it all, why do we think we can? 

It also causes us to wrestle with the question, "What are the things the Lord is calling me to do, and how can I be faithful in them?" Our life's success isn't measured in how much we do, but whether or not we're faithful with what has been entrusted to us. 

This should cause great relief. 

You don't have to do it all. 
God's not expecting you to. 

Instead, He's simply asking you to be faithful with what's most important and live open-handedly with the rest. Embracing your limits is the door to freedom and joy. 

So what are you trying to accomplish in 2022? Are you overdoing it? Perhaps it's ok to let a few things go.