“Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over!” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
You may remember the “punch” line of Dirty Harry in Magnum Force – “A man’s got to know his limitations.” Here’s a 9-second clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG2cux_6Rcw
Wise runners respect limitations – especially training limitations when recovery from an injury, or period of inactivity. Failing to do so may lead to injury and further set-backs!
Check out this video link for a real life example of a truck driver who misjudged his limitations on the road. Alert: no one injured here. http://www.statter911.com/2014/05/16/caught-video-truck-long-island-crumbles-hitting-low-overpass-speed/ The clip shows what happens when an 18-wheeler is too high to clear a low overpass. Again, no injuries, but still pretty ugly scene on the Meadowbrook State Parkway, Long Island, NY. If you’re in a hurry, impact occurs at the 34 second mark of the 1 minute 11 second tape.
The older I get, the more attentive I have to be to limits. There was a day when I could jump out of my car and head straight to the starting line of a 5K. LOL, I’ve since learned the value of warming up! Further, I’ve also learned (the hard way) that if I want to participate in the Peachtree Road Race each year, I have to prepare. The advance work must be done, or there will be a price to pay on Cardiac Hill! But, no matter the training, the last quarter mile from the turn at 10th Street is a bear.
The Apostle Paul had to contend with physical limitations as well in 2 Corinthians 12—he referred to the limitations as “thorns in the flesh” – some physical ailment that prevented him from doing all he wanted to accomplish. In verses 7-8 of that chapter, Paul says he asked God 3 times to remove those limitations – and in verse 9, the Lord answered, “My grace is sufficient for you.” i.e., no I’m not taking those limitations away.
The God of the Bible is a redeemer – He takes adversities that we bring to Him and turns them into an asset – adversity to asset, a test to testimony, a mess to a message, a trial into a triumph, and a victim into a victory - that’s what He does. He’s a miracle-working God! And that’s why Paul says in the passage above, I just let Christ take over!