Daily Journey: Day 213

Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

Scripture (ESV)

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” — Romans 12:3

One of the challenges of being capable is that people begin bringing you things they believe you can handle. And if you’re someone who likes helping or solving problems, it’s easy to keep saying yes.

Before long, you’ve taken responsibility for things that were never actually yours. What’s interesting is that nobody necessarily forced you to do it. You may have volunteered because you knew you could make a difference.

But being capable doesn’t mean everything belongs to you. Paul tells us to think about ourselves with sober judgment. Part of that involves understanding that God gives us different responsibilities, and He hasn’t assigned any one person to handle everything.

Why this matters

Overreach often begins with good intentions. Learning to recognize what actually belongs to us allows us to give proper attention to the responsibilities God has entrusted to us.

Reflection

What have you taken responsibility for simply because you knew you could handle it?

Word of the Day

Overreach: Taking on responsibility beyond what we’ve actually been entrusted to carry.

“Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” — Romans 12:3 (ESV)