About a month ago, an “Unconventional” post examined our need to challenge ourselves, using the slogan, “If you don’t push your limits, you’ll never learn the true extent of your abilities and motivations and faith.” I firmly believe that, and encourage all to wisely and strategically push the possible. But that coin has a reverse side. Only when we push our limits can we learn them. Othewise, we guess, we act in fear or foolishness. And wise folks abide by those learned limits.
Here’s an example. On my Iron Butt ride two years ago, of 1,080 miles in 24 hours on two wheels, I started strong, leaving home at 4:00 AM, with a brief stop in Barstow for gas, coffee, and breakfast at Mickie D’s, a quick gas stop in Vegas, then arrived in Cedar City, 465 miles in 6.5 hours, almost half the total, but felt tired. So I took an early and longer than planned lunch break at a converted train station: a nice craft beer to relax, a strong coffee to counteract the beer, and a tasty Cubano sandwich. The next target was Provo, 210 miles down the road.
But at 170 miles the tiredness returned, so 22 miles short of Provo I grabbed a snack and some gas and some rest in Santaquin. The pace was slowing down a little; after the early and hard start impacted my ability to handle the longer segments I’d planned. So I adjusted, and the next three segments were limited to 132 miles, 155, and 140. I found the optimal segments were then 150 or less. For the first half, I averaged 72 mph, including stops. For the last half of 615 miles, I averaged 62 mph. Yes, I made it to Dillon MT, 1,080 miles in a total time of 16.4 hours. Key term: made it. Because I recognized some very real limits.
The same principle applies to following Jesus. Yes, we push our limits, finding both the extent of our abilities and motivations and faith. Keep in mind, a LOT of these lessons must be learned the hard way, by making mistakes and feeling pain. But we find some true limits. And we listen to them. Here are some of mine—you might share them, or you might have ones of your own.
Temptations are common to all, and we have two primary tools. Strength or escape, according to 1 Corinthians 10:13. Only when we know the limits of our strength can we know when to run. Getting into soft porn some years back changed how I deal with this, and running often works best.
Abilities and gifts are given to all, but none of us are talented in all arenas. Sometimes our youthful enthusiasm and energy allow us to function in areas we’re not suited for, but if we spend too much time there drains us. So maybe we should focus on what God designed us to do. But, sometimes they change, or are hidden. I was so bad in oral reports in school they made me take a speech course, and the teacher said we could get out of speech if we joined the debate team. I did, and spoke 100 times as much as the class. And the bulk of my working life has been in speaking, as a pastor and professor. Go figure!
Energy levels vary due to many factors: age, levels of exertion, emotional issues, even an adrenal dump after a great event. So we listen to our body and soul. God commanded a day of rest, he knows our energy is limited. If I hadn’t extended my Iron Butt stops, I wouldn’t have made it.
Yes, those are just a few. But recognize yours, listen, and adapt. Finish the ride.
Kick Starting the Application
What limits have you found? How did you learn them, and did the pain of the lesson show its importance? Do you have the limits above? What others? How have you found and followed your limits? Where does God fit into the process?