It is a short walk to a Japanese restaurant. As I shared a yuzu cheesecake dessert, I realised there was no way that I could have imagined the combination of ingredients, ways to prepare or to deliver the presentation. Whatever I imagine attempting, I know it would have fallen short of the dish presented and the experience that followed.
Life’s whispers gently reminded me that there are many areas in life where my abilities end and something else begins. It was a gentle pull from the moment I was enjoying into a broader story of community and Divinity’s family. As I enjoy the lingering memories of the dish and the evening in the morning light, I realise my refreshed understanding going into today includes the following.
Knowing one’s limitations is a good thing. While my awareness of my limits feels at times like I am revisiting an old cult movie (Dirty Harry and Clint Eastwood’s character, Harry Callahan). While I adamantly agree that “A man has to know his limitations”, if I am willing to look in the mirror, I know the reality that this is often not true in my life. With a fresh appreciation of the different ways this plays out in my life, I read Paul’s words with an open heart. “Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them – living and breathing God!” (Romans 8.5)
Accepting help and working with others are demonstrations of strength and resolve. If one wants to accomplish what is beyond one’s reach, one knows that two are stronger than one. In letting go of my ego, I open myself up to a greater force and story. It is in letting go of my story and embracing ours that I find my greater power and purpose.
My best abilities are found in harmony with Divinity. They live in community. Together, everything is possible.
