You push yourself to the limit. Anything you can do, why wouldn’t you want to do more of it? Whether it’s a project for work or the next family gathering, you max it out. More effort, more excitement, bigger numbers, epic proportions. Even vacation is an opportunity to maximize, pulling out all the stops to experience and do as much as possible while you’re away.
This system is working out for you. You have goals, and you achieve them. You’ve got a reputation for being a get it done kind of person. Others might settle for half-way; you aim for 150%. You usually get what you aim for. Deeply, efficiently, ruthlessly.
But lately you’ve noticed some downsides to your ruthlessly effective lifestyle. Some days, it’s hard to drag yourself out of bed. You hesitate to take on new projects, knowing that you’ll wear yourself out to complete them. Each day, there’s the nagging question: When do I get done? Is there no end to this rabbit hole?
What if you could get off this treadmill altogether? How would it feel to truly rest?
There is a spirit that invites you to be gentle with yourself. There is an invitation to care for yourself like you care for others. There is a peace waiting for you, whenever you’re ready to relinquish the need to be first, best, strongest, fastest. Is it time to embrace a different way of life?
It might start by allowing yourself the grace that you extend to others. Imagine yourself as a young child. Would you burden that child with your worries?
In the eyes of God you will always be that child: tender, vulnerable, loved. Whatever burdens you are placing on yourself, God would relieve you of those. His desire is for you to flourish and grow, not to be weighed down by the drive to be the best, whatever that means.
Are you willing to be a child?