Living LighterSample

Responsibilities:

Exodus 19:12 says, “Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.’”

No matter what career we choose, all of us have responsibilities. Paying bills, feeding mouths, working, walking pets, planning get-togethers, and on and on it goes. Between it all, we can quickly develop a too-busy lifestyle—too busy for rest, too busy for the beach, too busy to garden, too busy to fish, too busy. We cannot and should not give up some responsibilities, but there are moments when we can carry burdens that were not ours to carry.

The above verse was written to stress the need for respect for God's presence. It was a boundary put in place to protect the people from death. We see God put physical limits to protect his people and it is considered holy. So why, when we do it, do we feel guilty? A little while ago, my husband and I had to sit down and talk through all the areas of our lives where we were putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We then had to make some hard decisions. We took a step back and, instead of controlling everything, let God move in big ways. After all, how can he move if we stand in his way? So many times I have worried about something that God had already taken care of. It takes courage to set limits on yourself, but what God has intended for you will happen when you follow his will to take care of yourself. Often, people are afraid to set boundaries because they do not want to miss out on opportunities, but the right opportunity will honor your need for a simple life.

Practice: I find it beneficial to occasionally look at all that I am doing and ask myself what do I have to do? What can I give up? What can someone else do? Take a look or even list out all your responsibilities; what are the patterns you see? What can change?

Prayer: God, thank you for setting examples of limitations and giving us the strength to set that ourselves. We pray to recognize which areas we are holding onto that we can let go of and let you take control. We love you, amen.