Live Without Limits
“There were no restrictions.” (Esther 1:8)
Recently, my friend posted a picture of herself at the gym. She was in her mask and spandex ready to willingly sweat. The poster in the background was a beautiful landscape image of mountains with two words in big block letters: NO LIMITS. I’m sure it was meant to be motivating, but I just kept thinking about it. I mean … can we really live without limits? The fastest woman in the world can’t run at the speed of light. The strongest man in the work can’t pick up the Eiffel Tower. Of course, there are limits. I can’t eat all the chips and salsa – I’ve tried! There are natural boundaries and set restrictions for all of us. But, more often than not, they are there to protect us.
At this point in our story of Esther, the king was hosting a lavish banquet for the Who’s Who of Susa. There were no limits on this banquet. We can infer it meant food, drink, and everything else. At some point during this multiple day event, the king summoned Queen Vashti to the great hall to show her off to his friends. But, clutch your pearls, she said no. She set that limit. She wasn’t going to put herself in a situation where she didn’t feel safe. This choice cost her, but also could have saved her.
Sounds familiar, right? The decision to follow Jesus is the beginning of a new life where many opportunities and challenges await us. Once we accept that new life, we are faced with another decision: will we live out our faith on a daily basis, despite our circumstances, challenges, and even physical limitations? Scripture teaches us that limits in our life or physical bodies do not limit our abilities in Christ, and we can find our strength in Him.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak; even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
Only in Christ can we live without limits. And, know when He calls to show off your beauty and talents, you are safe. His limits are set to protect you. And in Him, you are living without limits.
By Carrie Peterson
Carrie is happiest with her people and a pen in hand!
Recently, my friend posted a picture of herself at the gym. She was in her mask and spandex ready to willingly sweat. The poster in the background was a beautiful landscape image of mountains with two words in big block letters: NO LIMITS. I’m sure it was meant to be motivating, but I just kept thinking about it. I mean … can we really live without limits? The fastest woman in the world can’t run at the speed of light. The strongest man in the work can’t pick up the Eiffel Tower. Of course, there are limits. I can’t eat all the chips and salsa – I’ve tried! There are natural boundaries and set restrictions for all of us. But, more often than not, they are there to protect us.
At this point in our story of Esther, the king was hosting a lavish banquet for the Who’s Who of Susa. There were no limits on this banquet. We can infer it meant food, drink, and everything else. At some point during this multiple day event, the king summoned Queen Vashti to the great hall to show her off to his friends. But, clutch your pearls, she said no. She set that limit. She wasn’t going to put herself in a situation where she didn’t feel safe. This choice cost her, but also could have saved her.
Sounds familiar, right? The decision to follow Jesus is the beginning of a new life where many opportunities and challenges await us. Once we accept that new life, we are faced with another decision: will we live out our faith on a daily basis, despite our circumstances, challenges, and even physical limitations? Scripture teaches us that limits in our life or physical bodies do not limit our abilities in Christ, and we can find our strength in Him.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak; even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
Only in Christ can we live without limits. And, know when He calls to show off your beauty and talents, you are safe. His limits are set to protect you. And in Him, you are living without limits.
By Carrie Peterson
Carrie is happiest with her people and a pen in hand!
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