Even the best life is limited.[1] Knowing when you are pushing against your limits is a wonderful way of expressing love, value, and honor to yourself. We live in a culture that does not encourage us to know or honor the limits imposed on the person. Jesus told some of his followers to stop doing what they hated.[2] By not doing what we hate, we honor our limits. I hate changing a flat tire or making an overly complex dinner or engaging in an argument. Why do I hate those things? Because I lack the skills to do the activity well. My best life is limited.
Our culture seems to love the mantra, “You can be anything you want to be.” Not true. This is not true. Even the best life is limited. My limits prevent me from a host of activities, vocations, and hobbies. One of my limits prevented me from birthing a child. No, we cannot be anything we desire. You and I have limits.
I recall a boy, about 12 years old, who was a bit slight in weight and in height in comparison to his peers. This boy wanted to become a pro-football player. So in middle school, he joined the school football team. When a lad from the opposing team, who was built like a young linebacker, knocked him to the air as if he were a balloon, the young boy discovered a limitation to his dream.
I recall another person strongly encouraged by parents to go to law school. This person very quickly came to find a limit of their desire to be an attorney. About eight weeks into the first term, a new limit was honored as law school was put aside, parents told, and joy found.
Even the best life is limited. How do you integrate your limitations into your life? Come, love your life, love yourself, and love and honor your limits.
[1] Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, “Introduction to Ecclesiastes,” The Harper Collins Study Bible, (New York: HarperCollins, 1989) 891.
[2] Gospel of Thomas, 6.