The demands of life occasionally take us into overtime – beyond our normal rhythms and expectations. And while empowered by grace to accomplish more than we thought possible, we don’t want to stay in overtime forever.
For instance, work doesn’t always fit neatly into our 9 to 5. Sometimes we have to do the work that pays the bills and then also put in overtime to do the work that matters – the work that fulfills our deeper purpose.
And much beyond our own strength, we’re empowered by God’s grace to finish the job.
Overtime might then continue as we get home and are called to be soul providers for our families.
Again, we might wonder what we have left to give. But as we tap into God’s power we’re able to give our family what they need as well.
Time and again God gives us the strength to accomplish the many tasks before us. When we feel overwhelmed and think we’re to our limit, his grace shows up and gives us the endurance to carry on.
In fact, regular overtime might be how he expands our capacity to handle and do more – leveling up in the offering of our strength.
All the same, we must watch overextending ourselves. This is when our own ego drives us to do more and more – fearing failure and spreading ourselves thin.
Every battle is not ours to fight. And consistently putting in overtime for issues not ours to own is not a wise use of the gifts and time God has given us.
We must know the difference between simply pushing ourselves in overtime and extending ourselves too far to the point of burnout, depletion, and unnecessary suffering.
Life often goes into overtime. Let grace empower you without letting fear drive you to do more than what God has asked of you.
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