Look! Up in the sky… it’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s… an exhausted, worn out, wrinkled, sleep-deprived, snappy, discontent flying object (with back pain) who really wants to conquer a gallon of rocky road ice cream instead of the world!! What a sight!
Okay, so it’s not Superman… or Superwoman, in our case. But it’s a more realistic definition of who we are when we attempt to do it all, have it all, and be all. When did we decide that we were obligated to fulfill such lofty expectations? When did we buy into the lie that “more, more, more” is better? When did top speed, multi-tasking, passion-less living take center stage in our lives? Why do we feel the pressure to even attempt this flight to failure?
What does it look like in your life? Are you a college student with a triple major, volunteer work, and two part-time jobs? Are you a seasoned business executive that responds to emails on your blackberry and returns phone calls on your cell phone… at the same time… in early rush hour traffic… while driving? Are you the soccer mom who cannot remember the last time you danced around the house like a monkey with your kids because of your daily to-do-list and schedules for piano lessons, karate class, and PTA meetings? Are you the church volunteer who is heading up 4 ministries, 2 Bible studies, 1 Mission Trip, and singing in the choir but discovers that you fall asleep at each attempt to spend some quiet time alone with God? The scenarios could go on forever.
What am I getting at? I am a huge believer in hard work. It defines our character… instills integrity and principle. But I fear that as women, we have gotten lost in the unfulfilling trap of trying to prove our worth. We look at what the world calls “Superwomen” and we seem to honor that lifestyle… we don’t just honor it, we crave it. Pick up any women’s magazine and you’ll find dozens of articles to prove my point. The hectic, busy, plate-balancing, task-juggling role is something we all feel pressure to achieve.
As women, we are unique. We are gifted in a special way. I am so thrilled that God made me a woman, but I know he did not do that so I can spend my life trying to prove that I am invincible… I’m the queen of multi-tasking… I’m able to accomplish more… just to prove how gifted I am… I’m just as qualified as a man… I’m better than a man. Sometimes I think our world has gotten so off track that as women we don’t just want to prove we can handle as much as men, we want to prove that we can even handle as much as God. Truth is… we can’t, and we shouldn’t even want to.
One would assume that with all of our going and blowing we would feel a sense of accomplishment, but most Christian women I see sporting their fancy red capes just feel weary, over-extended, and drained.
We need strength.
Isaiah 58:11 “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
We need rest.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
We need patience.
Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
We need security.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
There is nothing wrong with wanting to live out the gifts God has given us. It’s a great thing to set goals and achieve them. And you will never see me cheering for a lazy, self-absorbed woman. But life should not be lived in our own strength and for our own glory. Everything we choose to do has to be a result of a life of priority in Christ. He will guide us with specific clarity. We will be fulfilled, refreshed, and renewed on a regular basis. We will be women of purpose and influence. Just read Proverbs 31: 10-31. Now there is a real Superwoman… but not one defined by the world’s standards. She is God’s version… the real hero. She can accomplish many, many things for His glory and purpose, but she has not forgotten who she is in Christ… the source of her strength… her priorities. She is full of value, wisdom, balance, faith, strength, dignity. Her husband has confidence in her. Her children bless her. She is a hard worker, but you never see in her a sense of trying to prove her worth to others. She is focused on the plans that God has for her life, and how she can use every opportunity to reflect His sweet light.
So… are you faster than a speeding bullet? Well slow down already! That kind of speed and wind resistance will only increase your chances for a bad hair day anyway! Are you able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? What’s your problem? Walk through the door missy… mingle in the lobby… let your feet glide across the over-priced Oriental rug, and admire the exquisite paintings and sculptures you will never have in your own home. Ask God to reveal to you the things He wants to accomplish through you… the things He has uniquely gifted you to do. They will keep you busy but not overwhelmed and exhausted. Pray for balance. Prioritize your life. Hang up your cape.
