Yesterday was my fifth consecutive day of ministry, which means it was my 5th consecutive day of physically demanding manual labor. We work about 5 hours each day out in the sun breaking down cinder block walls, carrying broken cinder block pieces across the property to create a road so cars can still navigate when it floods, clearing and digging holes for fence posts and clearing the land, which means pulling weeds that are on steroids. I have never seen such weeds before. The roots are 3' to 7' in length and using a heavy pic axe and all my strength, I can barely pull these things up to clear the land.
I am thoroughly enjoying the work we are doing. It feels good to work hard, but as new runners know to limit themselves to 3 running days a week until they can build their strength and endurance, I know that 5 days of 5 hours each of physically demanding work requires rest for my muscles to relax and mend themselves. My back had reached its limit by Thursday. I had already stretched the wrong way and got 'stuck' twice earlier in the week. My back had spasms and I knew when I woke up Friday I was on the brink of a serious back injury. I pay well attention to my body so I don't push too hard and I knew the next tool I picked up to work at our ministry site would push me over the edge.
I did not want to remain back because I was not sick, but I did not want to be useless to my team either. So, I asked my team to pray for me before we got started that day. My back was still sore when they finished praying, but in faith I began working. I took my first swing with the pic axe and my back did not break! I did not pull a muscle! Then this part of a song by Casting Crowns started playing through my mind,
"Here at Your feet, I lay this day down
Not in my strength, but in Yours I've found
All I need, You're all I need"
– At Your Feet
I sang it over and over again as I continued my task at hand of pulling weeds and clearing out the land and two hours later I was still going! My back was so sore, but I knew I was not going to get an injury. By the grace of God alone was I able to work with my team that day. God's strength carried me through all day! I could hardly believe it! My teammates kept asking me if I needed to take a break and switch out but I was so excited God had given me the strength and ability to work that I kept saying no! I did end up taking a break, but I take at least one break every day anyway. God's grace is enough. He is always enough! This day was no exception, but rather another proof that God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.
