
The Gift of Limits and Leadership

Posted July 15th, 2010 by Pete Scazzero

As we are in the process of doing our annual job reviews at New Life Fellowship, I have been struck anew by the need to include in our job descriptions that our number one task is to love God, ourselves and our spouses (if applicable). Out of a “cup that runs over,” we offer the life of Jesus to those whom we serve. What else do we have to give?

When we overextend ourselves, we grow resentful, love with a “human love,” lose our passion and gradually hear His voice less clearly. The fruit is short-lived.

The reason this is so challenging for us (and I begin with myself) is it touches the core of our relationship with God. Limits touch my desire to do my will, not His, to rebel rather than surrender, to keep going rather than stop. Adam and Eve crossed God’s limits in eating from the tree in the Garden. And it was a disaster!

God is on the throne and is running His world, not me.

What limits has God placed around you as a gift today? What adjustments is He inviting you to make in order that you might live from a cup that runs over (Ps. 23)?

“A man can receive only what is given him from heaven” (John 3:27).

Tags: Gift of Limits, Limits and leadership, Manage Self, Theology of limits

2 Comments

You are not alone in seeking this “one thing necessary.” Yet like Martha, we choose, and so does the church, to keep us distracted with many things, and lose the source of an undivided life. May we be vigilant like our Lord, who walked away from it all to be with the Father. Compulsive ministry or communion in ministry. Thats the choice before us. Mary chose the better part and it was not taken away from her!

Posted by: Rob+ // July 17th, 2010 at 11:45 am

I understand the tyranny of busyness and performance based christianity. Being still before God has always been a challenge for me. A friend and I have been using your book “Daily Office.” We both struggle with the 2 minute silence. We have both asked God to unclutter our minds. In my personal struggle, I have begun to praise the Lord and thank Him for His many blessings when my mind won’t stop. I don’t think this is what you mean by two minutes of silence. Please tell us what your two minutes of silence looks like and how it eventually becomes natural to you. Thank you so much, it would mean a great deal to us.

Posted by: Sharon // August 31st, 2010 at 8:57 am