Last week my team met our squad in Eldoret for Kenya debrief. We spent six days discussing the challenges we faced during our last project, prepped for our new project, celebrated Christmas and New Year’s, and got sick. Yes, we passed around our first squad bug. We are still not entirely sure what caused it, but we know it hits hard and fast. There were days that entire teams would be down. Thankfully, it seemed to only last about 24 hours.
By the end of the week most had recovered. So, we packed our bags (and the few remaining sick) and caught a bus to Uganda. The roads were bumpy, the air dusty and hot, but the ride was only expected to be six hours. I thought we were making good time, only stopping the bus occasionally for those who were sick. But six hours came and went, so did, seven, eight, nine… After 13 hours we finally arrived in Kampala, Uganda. We were hot, tired and cranky. I got off the bus, ready for sleep, knowing that tomorrow would include another “6 hour” bus ride to Lira. Then our leader announced that we would be attending a church service, which means be prepared to preach, as soon as we arrive in Lira the next day.
I wanted to scream. I couldn’t take anymore. I needed everything to stop- no bus, no traveling, no preaching. I was exhausted; I had nothing left to give. And even if I did have more to give, I was too cranky to give it. Our leaders sensed the tension, apparently I wasn’t the only person panicking. They decided to postpone our trip to Lira. They declared the next day for rest and recuperation.
Good thing, too. I spent most of the next day in bed or in the bathroom. Yes, I caught the bug. It wasn’t fun, but it did give me a lot of time for thinking. I was so thankful that our leaders were aware of our breaking levels. They tell us this will be a year of challenge, one where we will be stretched but thankfully it seems they have no intention of breaking us completely. They pay careful attention to our needs and don’t give us more than we can handle.
That’s God’s promise, too. He will not give us more than we can bear. I have often twisted this passage to mean that God never intends for us to reach our breaking point, that place of complete exhaustion. So when I am left exhausted and screaming, I wonder why God isn’t keeping his promise. The problem is that that isn’t His promise. He doesn’t promise that we won’t be challenged. He doesn’t promise that we won’t be stretched or that things won’t hurt. He promises that He will always be with us. He promises that He will provide a way out so that we can remain standing. He promises to give us only what we can handle but that also means we will reach that point where in exhaustion we yell out, “STOP!” He will be with us in that moment; He is faithful. He knows us and when we truly need rest, he stops the bus so that we can recoup.
