SPOTLIGHT

Have you ever seen a photo or video of an entertainer spinning a set of plates on those tiny sticks? Now, visualize yourself standing and trying to do this with a dish on each hand, one on your head, and one on your foot. Can you imagine?! There is no way we could keep all those dishes in the air without a few, if not all, crashing to the floor.

As women, we can relate to the pressure of being Spot On and juggling all of life’s demands. You could feel the demand to keep up your appearance by making sure your outfit, makeup, home, and social media are always on point. Maybe you’re trying to be Spot On in all the roles

you play day-to-day like: wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, employee... the list goes on.

Some of you may be attempting to balance your personal life, career and ministry only to find it nearly impossible. Are you nodding in agreement with the never-ending pressure to be Spot On, yet?

Thankfully, we don’t need to burden ourselves with expectations or trying to achieve “perfection.” That’s because we will never achieve it — Jesus is only one capable of perfection. Instead of working to be Spot On with the endless demands we place on ourselves, He tells us to fix our gaze upon Him. When we say “yes” to the right things, He promises us freedom and grace to be Spot On who He has called us to be.

LOOK IT UP

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.” Psalm 92:13

KEYWORDS

• truth
• balance
• discernment
• grace
• freedom

BLINDSPOTS

Let’s reprogram our minds from some distorted perspectives we’ve latched onto over the years.

• Ask yourself why you place the pressure on yourself to have it all together. Is it realistic? Or, do you need to recognize the season you are in and learn to enjoy it.
• Are you over-committed? What feelings come up when you want to turn down someone or something? Practice saying “no” so you can say “yes” to the things that are important to you.
  

PUT IT INTO ACTION

BODY
Carve out a few moments on your schedule for time for yourself, even if it’s in 15-minute blocks. Get outside, take a walk, catch up with a friend. Just do something that is a resounding “yes” for you.