Georgene Johnson got to the starting line 15 minutes early. The mistake cost her 20 miles and a pair of aching knees. The 42-year-old secretary was ready to run in a 10-kilometer race. Instead, she mistakenly joined about 4000 runners taking part in the Revco-Cleveland Marathon. Rather than quit, she hung on to finish the 26-mile race. The 10-K (6.2 mile) race, was to start at 8:45 a.m., the marathon 15 minutes earlier. Both Revco-Cleveland races used the same starting line. Four miles down the road, as the route left downtown and moved into residential areas, she said she "got that sick feeling that possibly I was in the wrong race." Another runner confirmed her suspicions. Johnson finished the marathon in 4:04, good enough for 83rd place in the women's division. Her longest run previously was 8 miles.
It is interesting how many times people place limitations on themselves about what they can or cannot accomplish. For Georgene, she thought she was only able to endure about 8-miles of running. This was a limitation she placed on herself, but obviously she was able to accomplish much more than she thought. Now, she was only able to do this because of the hard work and training she had put in, but certainly she never thought she could do it.
Even though some people are conceited, most people probably do not realize the potential they hold, especially when it comes to spiritual things. It seems like too often people tell themselves, "I can't convert people," "I can't talk to people about God," "I can't lead singing," "I can't lead public prayers," "I can't teach others," "I can't conduct a Bible study," and many, many similar statements. Of course not all of us can or should be teachers, and some of us may not be able to "carry a tune in a bucket," or what ever it may be. While some of these limitations might be true, typically, these are boundaries that are exaggerated and that we put on ourselves.
Look what incredible things God did with men who were fishermen, uneducated, untrained, and certainly not the type that stands out as incredible and talented people (Matthew 4:18ff; Acts 4:13). If God can do amazing things through average people, certainly He can accomplish incredible thing with us as well. Usually the difference is in our willingness to let Him work and letting go of the mental limitations we usually place on ourselves. Many times we cannot accomplish something because we have told ourselves that we cannot accomplish it. While we all do have limitations, lets make sure that we realize that God can work with the most untalented person. Remember Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Lets never allow our self-imposed limitations keep us from being greater servants, evangelists, teachers, preachers, etc. in God's kingdom. Let's get out there and be workers for the Lord despite our limitations.
It is interesting how many times people place limitations on themselves about what they can or cannot accomplish. For Georgene, she thought she was only able to endure about 8-miles of running. This was a limitation she placed on herself, but obviously she was able to accomplish much more than she thought. Now, she was only able to do this because of the hard work and training she had put in, but certainly she never thought she could do it.
Even though some people are conceited, most people probably do not realize the potential they hold, especially when it comes to spiritual things. It seems like too often people tell themselves, "I can't convert people," "I can't talk to people about God," "I can't lead singing," "I can't lead public prayers," "I can't teach others," "I can't conduct a Bible study," and many, many similar statements. Of course not all of us can or should be teachers, and some of us may not be able to "carry a tune in a bucket," or what ever it may be. While some of these limitations might be true, typically, these are boundaries that are exaggerated and that we put on ourselves.
Look what incredible things God did with men who were fishermen, uneducated, untrained, and certainly not the type that stands out as incredible and talented people (Matthew 4:18ff; Acts 4:13). If God can do amazing things through average people, certainly He can accomplish incredible thing with us as well. Usually the difference is in our willingness to let Him work and letting go of the mental limitations we usually place on ourselves. Many times we cannot accomplish something because we have told ourselves that we cannot accomplish it. While we all do have limitations, lets make sure that we realize that God can work with the most untalented person. Remember Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Lets never allow our self-imposed limitations keep us from being greater servants, evangelists, teachers, preachers, etc. in God's kingdom. Let's get out there and be workers for the Lord despite our limitations.
Brett Petrillo
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