As a 29-year-old female living through challenging times, I’d like to think that my infinitely expanding list of goals and bucket list accomplishments is highly within my capacity to reach. In my pretence of infinite wisdom, I seem to have found myself facing a deep creative, spiritual and emotional block with no clue as to how I dug myself into this chasm to begin with. I can’t possibly be the only person striving to figure out how to balance real-life living purpose and boundaries on what seems to be a see-saw experience. If you’re anything like me, your life is a pendulum swinging between hyperactivity and total lethargy. At what point do we relinquish control and allow the Creator to do what He’s always done?
Why am I so tired?
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” (Matthew chapter 11, verse 28 and 29).
Are you feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted? Spoiler alert! You are not infinite. Naturally, running in your sole capacity to infinity and beyond will leave you weary. Our society is deeply rooted in productivity, constant connectivity and self-fulfilment. We spend most of our time trying to earn a sufficient income so that we can spend our remaining hours making up for time we used on activities we didn’t enjoy. If this is starting to sound familiar, you’re not alone.
Time for boundaries.
Simply being able to accomplish tasks, doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Being given free will and the ability to make decisions gives us the opportunity to choose to say “no” rather than driving ourselves to burnout. How many times have you heard someone say, “You cannot pour from an empty cup.”?
Setting boundaries for your relationships, your availability, your mental capacity and your spiritual routine may seem simple, however this can be more difficult to apply. Keeping your cup overflowing starts by prioritising our spiritual life. Choosing a life of faith has never promised to be easy, I can attest to that, but it is a choice that gives me hope beyond this life. Setting boundaries allows us to reflect, mature and keep our peace in Christ.
Beyond infinity
The Merriam-Webster definition of infinity is an “unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity. Boundless.” What does your mind perceive as being beyond boundless? What does your mind begin to fathom as existing beyond boundaries?
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation chapter 1, verse 8)
The very One who breathes life exists outside of the bounds of human understanding. The Boundless One is our peace and hope for eternity and it is in our Creator that we find our salvation, the Light that shines beyond infinity.
When we finally take a moment to pause and breathe, we have created a moment in time to recentre our attention on Christ, our Saviour. Setup boundaries that will allow you to prioritise your spiritual life and the relationships that matter. You are not alone! Find your community and find those that will hold you up when you can’t. Remember, we were not made to walk alone. Being on the edge of exhaustion doesn’t mean it’s too late. Step out into a life beyond infinity.
Hailing from South Africa, Crystelda is an avid nerd and an unapologetic dreamer. With a BSc. Biological Sciences and BCom Hons in marketing, she has launched the Christian lifestyle blog - Selah Blogger and is the joint winner of the 2019 International Theology Award. The blog can be found at https://selahblogger.wordpress.com/ and her previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/crystelda-naidoo.html