What is your Limit?
Everyone has their limits. How much they eat, how fast they will drive, how much pain they can or are willing to endure, how much they will pay and how much they will do for another person. What are your limits? How far, fast, big, and sacrificial are you willing to go?
Today’s context has many of us recognizing how far we are willing to go for someone else. Do you use hand sanitizer, will you use social distancing, will you voluntarily wear a mask? Terms like crazy, ridiculous, invasion of my personal freedoms are just a few of the terms being bandied around circles of conversation these days. (Circles that may or may not be at a safe social distance) Today’s context has forced us not to just recognize those limits but to also draw a hardline in the sand. A line that we refuse to cross. We have our rationale for that line. A rationale created from our beliefs and honestly our own desires and experiences. We have used the wisdom mixed with knowledge to define this line.
Recently I listened to a podcast where godly wisdom was defined as applying what we know about God to our relevant situations. In other words, we look at situations from God’s perspective and we respond to our context as He would have us respond not as I would respond. Our hardline should not be defined by what I think or believe, rather it should be defined by how God would draw that line. In order to discover this kind of Godly wisdom we first apply scripture. Look at this verse.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5 NIV
James tells us to ask God for it. It begins in prayer, asking God to give us wisdom. Ask Him where He would have you draw that line.
Second, I would suggest turning in your bibles looking for an example. Regarding today’s context I would suggest Eph5:1-2.
"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
Paul’s teaches us in this verse that as the children of God we should follow God’s example. Take note, he does not suggest we follow God’s example of sacrifice. Rather follow His example. It is an imperative. He is speaking with authority telling the reader to be an imitator of God; to follow God’s example.
God’s example of sacrifice was that Jesus gave himself up for us. He died for each one of us. God’s hardline in the sand was the life of His only Son. God gave His Son’s life for the eternal life of each one of us.
Next time someone asks you to wear a mask or use hand sanitizer remember the example of God and what he willingly did for you. Suddenly wearing a mask or using sanitizer will pale in comparison to His sacrifice. Consider how simple a request is being asked of you to do for others compared to what God has done for you.
What are your limits?
