I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Since 1941 the comic character Wonder Woman has captured our imaginations. She uses her beauty, strength, and superpowers to bring justice to the world. Created by William Moulton Marston with the help of his wife, Wonder Woman was intended to represent all that women could be in a time when they still did not have much power or influence in society. Rather than relying on brute force, Wonder Woman used “love” and her “lasso of truth” to get things done.
Today women sometimes joke about feeling as if we need to be “Wonder Woman” in our daily lives. We often juggle a career, kids, marriage, friendship, and church activities. We start the day exhausted and end it the same way. Yet we push ahead, feeling sure we are also called to be a superhero who saves the world. We pay the price with our bodies, hearts, and minds.
We often also harbor a secret—one we share with few people in our lives. The secret is that despite our Herculean efforts, our endless giving, and our selfless devotions…it never feels like enough. There is always another load of laundry to do, another hurting heart to comfort, another Bible study to attend. We silently wonder, “If this is the abundant life then why am I so tired?”
I’ll admit that I’ve often struggled with this question. As a motivated, goal-oriented woman I can wear myself out in a hurry. Wonder Woman knows her mission and that’s all she does. She also knows both her powers and her limitations. I look at the verse above and tend to say, “I can do everything…so that’s what I’d better do.” But I’m learning God never calls me to do it all.
My mission isn’t to save the world; Jesus has already done that for me. My mission also isn’t to be like my neighbors or the woman I admire at church. In The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and Life Laurie Beth Jones says, “You are either living your mission or you are living someone else’s.”
The world tells us to do it all; Jesus tells us to do what’s essential. Just because we can do all things through Him doesn’t mean we have to or should.
And I think He wants to lovingly remind all of our hearts today that in His eyes we’re already Wonder Women—even if the laundry doesn’t get done.
Ladies, I’m feeling a bit stressed. That’s why I posted this devo–I need it! I’d love for you to leave a comment sharing one thing that helps when you feel like you have to be “Wonder Woman.” If you do so by midnight on Wednesday I’ll show my appreciation by entering you in a giveaway for this beautiful sterling silver bangle bracelet from DaySpring with Philippians 4:13 engraved on it.
