Pastor Wil Torres, Proclaim Church, Boynton Beach, FL talks about the importance of knowing your limits, based on Dr. Tommy Keidis’ work, “The Plimsoll Line” (leaderslifeandwork.com). This refers to the line that is painted around the hull of merchant ships, showing their load capacity limit. In the same way, leaders need to learn to recognize their own needs and limitations. What are you doing as a leader to recognize what your capacity is, to know what you need? We see this biblical principle in the life of Moses, when his father-in-law, Jethro, recognizes that Moses is exhausting himself trying to sit as judge over all the issues of the people. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. (Exodus 18:18) Jethro wisely counsels him to delegate the load. Four points to remember: 1)No leader can do it all; 2)Leaders have differing capacities; 3)Leaders must assess their capabilities; 4)Lead within your capacity. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30) If your burden is not restful, that is a sign that you are working beyond your limitations. “You have the agency and you have the capacity to make sure you are not allowing that to happen.”

QUOTES:

“A ship has its limits to the load that it can carry. So do leaders.” -Will Torres

“What systems do you have in place to guard against overloading yourself, stacking above and beyond your own limitations?” -Will Torres

“We have to understand who we are, and when we have that self-awareness, then we become better leaders because we see how we can work through people rather than ourselves only.” -Will Torres

“All leaders are equal before God. But God does not equally equip all leaders.” -Will Torres

“Develop the discipline, the determination, and the work ethic to carry these smaller loads, and then you’ll see that you have the capacity and your capacity will enlarge.” -Will Torres

“As a leader, you will always get what you create and what you allow.” - Henry Cloud