Have you ever felt like you were burning the candle at both ends and you were running out of wax? Have you ever felt like you had to much on your plate? Have you ever felt like life was moving to fast and you couldn't catch your breath? If so, you may be doing more than you were designed for.
The great news is, we don’t have to do it all (even though we may sometimes feel that way). The bad news is, we often try and do it all. We try and tackle every opportunity that comes our way without asking if it’s our “responsibility” to do so. Maybe the things you are doing are meant for someone else to do. Maybe the things you are doing are meant for God to do.
We each have our roles and responsibilities but the bottom line for us over-workers is to know where our responsibility ends and leave it there. We would all admit we’re not God but that hasn’t prevented some of us from pretending like we are. (Yes, I went there.) If you have a strong personality you most likely take responsibility for what you are supposed to do and possibly everything Jesus and others are supposed to do as well. When that happens, you are doing more than you were designed for.
Read the story of Lazarus in the book of John, chapter 11 verses 32-44 and you will see there are certain things Jesus took responsibility for and certain responsibilities that He left for others to do.
Verse 34
Fact: Lazarus died and Jesus wanted to know where he was.
Jesus’ Responsibility: To Ask. "Where did you bury him?"
My Responsibility: To Answer. “Come and see him.”
(Question: Could Jesus have found him on His own? Yes, but he didn’t.)
Verse 39
Fact: There was a stone in front of the tomb that needed to be moved.
Jesus’ Responsibility: To Tell. "Move the stone away."
My Responsibility: To move the stone.
(Question: Could Jesus have moved the stone? Yes, but he didn’t.)
Verse 43
Fact: Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.
Jesus’ Responsibility: To Heal. "Lazarus, come out!"
My Responsibility: To watch the miracle unfold.
(Question: Could Jesus have moved the stone? Yes.)
Verse 44
Fact: Lazarus was alive but was bound with bandages.
Jesus’ Responsibility: To Tell. "Take the cloth off of him and let him go."
My Responsibility: To unbind Lazarus so he could be free.
(Question: Could Jesus have removed the bandages? Yes, but he didn’t.)
If you look at verses 34, 39 and 44 there are three things Jesus could have done, but didn’t do proving that just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Jesus was the only one in the group that day that could do what He did, bring life back from death. He fulfilled His responsibility in the story and He let others fulfill theirs.
Like Lazarus, we may not be dead but we are bound by our own inability to let certain things go when they are not our responsibility and when that happens we end up doing more than we are designed for.
Question:
1. Do you feel like you are doing more than you were designed for?
2. What one thing can you “stop doing” to bring more balance to your life?
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