I Not God, Stop Acting Like It, Trying to Please Everyone!

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

Today’s verse is Ecclesiastes 10:15. In it Solomon makes the statement that “Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.”

Today I am reminded that I’m not God. I don’t have all the answers. I can’t do everything. If I’m struggling to find balance in my life, that one admission can transform everything. The Bible says, “Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work” (Ecclesiastes 10:15 GNT).

It’s just plain dumb to wear myself out with work. When I overwork, I’m playing God. I’m saying that it all depends on me, that the world will crash down around if I don’t keep the world spinning. That’s just not true! I’m not the general manager of the universe. I can resign. The universe will not fall apart. God has it under control. Often one of reasons I do this to myself is that I try to please everyone. Learn this lesson today: I can’t please everyone. Even God can’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. When I live for the expectations of others, I pile on myself tons of “shoulds.” I end up telling myself, “I should work more hours,” “I should go to this seminar,” or “I should volunteer for this assignment.”

I need to 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. When I deny my humanity and try to do it all, I’m robbing God of his glory. The Bible reminds me 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).

Paul reminds me that I’m a human being. I’m feeble and fragile. Jars of clay break easily. If I drop them, they shatter. Clay pots have to be handled appropriately and with care. If not, they’ll be 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 let’s celebrate the power of God working through my limitations. So admit it: I’m human. Thank God for that!

Bottom Line:

Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work

Only a fool wears himself out with work.

What this means to me:

It’s foolish for me to take on a lot of work, trying to please everyone, to the point that I do not have any strength left.

Father thank you for the reminder that it’s foolish for me please everyone. I need to let you be in control and to guide me in what I am to do. I pray this morning Father for you wisdom in to do this and to think though tasks at hand and be able to manage and delegate them. Also give me the wisdom to respond rightly to others. In Jesus name, amen!