WEDNESDAY'S WORD ON THURSDAY - OVERCOMMITTED - Sadell Bradley - 08/18/16 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"You can do anything...but not everything." - David Allen
Ever been so busy that you forget what day it is? That was me yesterday! So now you get Wednesday's word on Thursday! LOL! so I thought I'd make the most of it.  To OVERCOMMIT means to  oblige (oneself or others) to do more than one is capable of, as to repay a loan one cannot afford; to allocate more (resources) to a purpose than can be provided; to obligate oneself beyond the ability for fulfillment.

Work, School, Church, Civic Activities, Clubs, Sports, Home (cooking, cleaning, laundry, bill paying), etc.  If we're lucky we have time for recreation and rest. We've been given self-control as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).  Jesus commanded us not to swear that we'll do anything, but to be definitive, "let your yes be yes and your no be no." (Matt 5:37) A simple life would be much easier. Why do we overextend ourselves?

 


1. We're used to being the GO-TO guy or gal - identity. In Exodus 18:13-23, Moses' father-in-law Jethro advised him that being the sole leader and judge was too much for him. He needed to release control and delegate responsibility and authority as his subordinates could handle it. In doing so he and they would enjoy a lighter burden and more peace. Don't wait, delegate!

2. We're prideful. We think we have the market cornered on how things could or should be done. Paul tells us, "not to think of yourselves more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith God has assigned." (Romans 12:3)  All  our friends in the Body of Christ, even our family members, co-workers and friends don't have the same gifts and abilities as we do. We need what others bring to the table. Ask for help!

 
3. We think we'll have more time in the future, and we like to be liked.
If we had to respond to the invitation immediately, we'd reply, "No. I'm too busy." If busyness is our lifestyle...Will we be less busy in the future? We say  "time is money."  When people ask us for money we don't have... NO flows easily. James 4:13-15 warns us against presumptive commitments, "'Don't say today or tomorrow we'll go to this city, spend a year there, carry on business and make a profit.' You don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'"  Watch out for overcommittment!

 

SUNDAY WORSHIP 11:00 AM

The GREAT ROOM

CLASSES Youth Room
SUNDAY9:30 AM
225 Wyoming Ave

      Cincinnati OH 45215

(Presbyterian Church of Wyoming)

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