Have you ever “bitten off more than you can chew” in life? Maybe you’ve taken on a a work assignment at the office that doesn’t line up with your skill set, another volunteer position at your child’s school or your church, or a project around the house you thought you could handle, only to realize it was more difficult than you realized?
I remember my mom and me coming home after a weekend away only to be greeted by a toilet sitting at the end of the driveway. The toilet in the master bathroom had a slow leak in it and my dad was going to fix it himself. Needless to say, the plumber showed up the next day.
Sometimes the things we try and tackle aren’t ours to fix and we find ourselves in a big mess. Proverbs 3:21-22 says “Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive.” [MSG]
When an opportunity or problem presents itself to you, don’t assume it is yours to take care of and end up with a toilet sitting at the end of your driveway so to speak. It may be someone else’s assignment. So many times we get into trouble because we take on something the Lord never intended for us to own. The Lord has plans for you [Jeremiah 29:11] and when you start taking on things that weren’t planned for you, you get weighed down and become unable to do what He has set before you [Matthew 11:28]. You also take a job away from the person it was intended for thus stealing their blessing that comes from being obedient to God’s call.
We all have our own gifts and talents given to us by God [1 Corinthians 12:7-12]. When we each use the gifts God has given us as He directs, we function as a healthy body of believers. We weren’t all called to sing the solo in church, design a highway, or fix a broken toilet. We all have our unique and individual gifts and we are to use them to the glory of God.
Jesus promises His burden is light [Matthew 11:28]. When we are doing what we are designed to do, we don’t get overwhelmed and or overloaded. When you see an opportunity or problem that needs attention, pause and ask the Father if the assignment is yours or not. You’ll be glad you did!