LT Podcast 3: The Arrogance of Capacity

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Here is a brief summary of today’s episode of “The Live True Podcast.” You can use this as a reference or reminder of key things you feel like you need to pay attention to or pass on to others, in the next 7 days of your life.

What’s TRUE about THE ARROGANCE OF CAPACITY

What are the internal ROOTS of your life that can help you name and own what is good, as well as what is distorted in you that drives and produces your external life?

“I’ve spent my whole life believing I could be strong enough and ‘hold it together’ no matter how challenging or difficult the circumstance or relationship. I couldn’t see how it was creating stress in me that created a vulnerability in me that was unhealthy.

I grossly overestimated what my body and soul could handle. Later I came to realize I had an arrogance of capacity. While I was tossing all my cares on Jesus, like I taught others, I kept adding to my own because I thought I could basically handle anything.

There was an underlying mindset that, somehow allowed me to ‘hold it together’ no matter how challenging or difficult the circumstance or relationship. It was this myth that got me far in life and saw me through some really difficult times.

HOWEVER

This same myth also produced extreme levels of exhaustion that I continuously carried for decades. And it was that depleted state that left me painfully vulnerable, eventually leading me to the most devastating failure of my life.”  – David Loveless

What if we were to tell you that Jesus knew ahead of time that NONE of us would ever be strong enough?

Jesus’ Perspective on the ARROGANCE OF CAPACITY

Listen to these stunning words from Matthew 26.

Jesus says, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me… But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.”

The disciple’s perception of themselves and Jesus’ view of them couldn’t have been more opposite. They believed and declared that they were strong enough to go through any difficulty for Jesus. He believed & declared that they weren’t. He saw what they refused to see about themselves… that they simply were not strong enough.

They believed that their commitment to Him was enough to sustain them through the worst circumstances the evil one could devise for them.

We totally get their thinking, their determination. Let the enemy just try to deter us from fulfilling God’s holy purposes for our lives!

But here’s what’s astounding: Jesus makes compassionate plans for his disciple’s failure. He knows ahead of time that they won’t be strong enough so He tells them… after your fall… I’ll see you on the ‘other side.’ I’ll see you in Galilee. And all will be well then.

Then several months later, now walking in the power of God’s Spirit, the disciple’s self-awareness had dramatically changed. They realized that there was a MASSIVE difference between their limited capacity and Jesus’ infinite one.

You and I can’t rely on our commitment & strength to win the day. Of course we KNOW this but we often fail to live like it. Trust my experience in this. And trust Jesus’ word on it. Our power and commitment – even as determined and successful as we sometimes appear to be will absolutely run out, fall short and fail us.

We are only fooling others and ourselves when we believe (often this is subconscious) that our strength and abilities are near limitless. Eventually we WILL reach our limit. Our strength will desert us.

Alcoholics Anonymous seems to get this biblical principle right:
Step 1 of 12 steps: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.

AA actually demonstrates the gospel through a spirituality of imperfection, in contrast to Western Christianity’s emphasis on perfection, performance, and willpower.

Dallas Willard said: “The will is very good at making simple and large commitments like getting married, or deciding to move someplace,but it is very bad at trying to override habits and patterns and attitudes that are deeply rooted in us. If you try to improve your soul by willpower, you will exhaust yourself and everyone around you.”

When you know What’s True, then you can…

Live TRUE concerning THE ARROGANCE OF CAPACITY

What can be the RHYTHMS and practices of your life that will re-align you with the life you want & allow you to participate in the life God intends for you to have?

• Live each day with greater humility concerning our limits. This should impact both what we say and what we promise to others…
• Live each day wit a more sober assessment concerning the limits of ALL others… including family members, friends, spiritual leaders etc…

So here are some questions I’m pondering these days. How would you answer them?

1. Do I most often put my faith in MY commitment to Jesus OR am I putting my faith in HIS commitment to me?
2. Am I experiencing Jesus’ unwavering commitment & capacity toward me, that goes above and beyond my greatest defeats?

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, we’ll ask one question. This week, it is this:

Question: “Where do you wrestle or struggle ‘accepting what is’? What’s been your experience with this?”

Ask Us a Question

If you have a question, comment, or thought to share with us, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click here: COMMUNICATE w/ David & Caron.

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David Loveless

David Loveless is a leadership coach, pastor to pastors and strategic, spiritual advisor to churches and businesses, throughout the world. He is the Co-Founder of "Live True." He previously served as founding pastor of Discovery Church, Orlando, Fl for 29 years. David and his wife Caron are parents of three sons and are the grandparents of their seven delightfully energized children.