I’m Not God, So Stop Acting Like It

In review of Ecclesiastes 10:15 it says, “Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.”

Bottom Line:

A fool becomes so exhausted by his work that they can’t even find their way home.

What this means to me:

It would be foolish for me to work so hard that I have no other strength for the simplest matters.

One thing is for certain. I’m not God. I do not have all the answers, nor can I do everything.

This verse reminds me that, “Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work” (Ecclesiastes 10:15 GNT).

Given this tidbit of wisdom, it would be just plain dumb to wear myself out with work. When I overwork, I’m trying to play God. I’m in essence saying that it all depends on me. It's the thinking that the world will crash down around me if I don’t keep the world spinning. Well, from what I have learned, this is just not true! I’m not the general manager of the universe. The universe will not fall apart. I need to realize that God has it under control.

I think one of the reasons, I do this is because I’m trying to please everyone. One thing to keep in mind is that I can’t please everyone. Even God couldn’t please everyone! One person wants it to rain. Someone else wants it to be sunny. Only a fool would try to do what even God can’t do.

So If I try to live for the expectations of others, I’ll end up piling on tons of “shoulds.” Thinking, “I should work more hours,” “I should study this” or “I should volunteer for this assignment.” But I should realize this: No one is holding a gun to my head. Overworking is my choice. I choose to take on the extra work or to not take it on. And I choose the consequences that come with that choice.

Beside If I deny my humanity and try to do it all, I’m robbing God of his glory. I’m reminded of this in 2 Corinthians 4:7: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (NIV). In this verse Paul reminds me that we’re all just human beings, feeble and fragile. Jars of clay break easily. If you drop them, they shatter. Clay pots have to be handled with care. Clay pots have to be handled appropriately. If not, they’ll get destroyed.

But the good news is that through my feebleness, the power and glory of God shines through. My humanity isn’t something to hide. Instead I can celebrate the power of God working through my limitations.

So I just need to learn to admit it: I’m only human and I can thank God that he will work through me and my limitations just as they are.

From my own past experience I tend to overwork for several reasons.  One is when I know there are deadlines or client commitments. Another is when I want to be an example and serve along with my staff. And yet another is simply when I’m trying to impress others.

So what I really need to consider is that when I take matters into my own hands, that I’m robbing God of his glory by trying to do everything on my own. In summary, It would be foolish for me to work so hard that I have no other strength for the simplest matters.