Let Go!

Why do women often think WE have the responsibility of taking care of everyone and everything? Why haven't we learned from our past and from the lives of women before us that being superwoman is not possible? Why are we willing to live with fatigue and exhaustion, rather than cutting back on our commitments and/or allowing someone else to take care of those things that are not a priority for us in this season? How did we get this mindset and where did we learn this behavior?

Given our varied backgrounds we would likely have differing answers to that last question. Regardless of how we try to rationalize our behavior, I am convinced that taking on too much is not biblical.

• Genesis 1:26 is our first glimpse of the Godhead: 1 God, 3 Persons, each responsible for a specific role while working together for the common purpose.
• Genesis 3:16 - God acknowledged that Adam needed help to carry out the tasks assigned to Him. He was not expected to be Superman, and there was no shame in that.
• Exodus 3:1-4:17 - When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage He provided Aaron, his brother, to be Moses' spokesperson to the Nation. This relieved Moses' fear of public speaking and allowed him to focus on spending time with YHWH so that he could get accurate instructions for the people.
• Esther 4-5 - Cousins Mordecai and Esther worked together to deliver the Jews. Neither of them had to bear that responsibility alone.
• Acts 2:42-47 - Believers in the 1st century Church worked together to ensure each was taken care of.

In all of the passages noted above (and in many others that could be listed), God's love in action can be seen. Rather than allowing ourselves to be worn out, we must simply look around to see whom God has provided to take on the tasks that are not our priority in this season (though they may be His priority for someone else) and allow them to serve in that way. We can push those boxes to the back of the closet and fill the boxes that are our priority. Let go, and be OK with letting go.

So take off the capes, superwomen, and walk in the freedom that comes with knowing we can give our best to God's priorities in our lives and rejoice in knowing God has assigned the other tasks as priorities for someone else.

Grace and peace...