This year I have officially approached my mid-twenties and I have begun to settle down in a number of ways. I think I have a little bit more life experience, focus and direction.
God has been working on me and my flighty, indecisive younger self is mellowing and maturing. I am enjoying a lot of things about this season especially the opportunity to build closer and deeper relationships with a smaller number of people in my world.
What I have started to notice is a few losses as well. I no longer have as much energy left over and my capacity for juggling numerous projects is infinitely smaller. My relational circle is shrinking which is a very difficult thing when you love people and deeply value inclusion. I have been increasingly challenged to work out a new normal in the face of my limits.
Despite all limitations…
I suspect I am not the only one to find themselves frustrated by limitations. My frustration escalates because I desperately want to serve God and share love and truth with so many who are far from Him. I am conscious that life is short and time is running out.
Very shortly Jesus will return and there will be no more opportunities for others to escape His judgement. Paul especially urges us to maintain this perspective and to remain focused on the mission God has given to us as His church.
1 Corinthians Chapter 7, verses 29-30 states “What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”
So we have an incredibly vast and important mission on an urgent deadline. And yet we can’t continually operate at full steam ahead. God has allowed us to experience and live with limitations in deteriorating bodies, limitations around the time that we have to spend, limited skills and abilities in our possession and limited resources at our disposal.
Able to move beyond all limitations…
For our own blessing and benefit God allows us to operate in seasons of productivity and action and seasons of rest and refreshment. We are called to develop endurance so that we may continue to function and achieve not for a singular short burst but for the marathon that is our entire life. We are called to “run to win.” (1 Corinthians Chapter 9, verse 24)
In every season the reality is God Himself sustains us, strengthens us and works through us to achieve His own purposes. We have the choice to acknowledge God’s grace as the medium for healing and restoration in our own lives, in our world and in the lives of the people we love and embrace the season He has given us despite our level of ability. In doing so we will experience freedom from frustration and perfect peace which surpasses understanding.
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” (1 Corinthians Chapter 10, verse13)
Hannah Edwards has recently graduated from theological studies, is an avid shopper and is learning to cook. She is currently ministering to women in Brisbane in both church and community spheres, empowering women to reach their fullest potential. Hannah is also the founder of the online community Harvest Joy Women. Further material is available from www.harvestjoywomen.com
Hannah Edward’s previous articles may be viewed at: http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/hannah-edwards