It’s the end of the Race. I have a little over a week of ministry left before going to our Final Debrief in Lima. This is the point where over ten months of traveling can take it’s toll, and you can be tempted to check out a few days early.
But I’ve been given an incredible gift. Our hosts this month have a talent for giving us the space we need and still finding times for us to come together. They also prioritize resting and serving from a place of fullness rather than obligation.
At this point, I can’t think of anything more helpful for keeping me engaged in ministry and life here in Peru than someone who makes it easy for me to get what I need most right now.
So far we’ve had two nights where we sit in their living room, sing hymns, take communion, pray together, and talk about what we’re learning. These have been some of my sweetest moments on the Race.
We’ve discussed the importance of prayer, God’s nature, and how sometimes church fails us.
Last night Tim, our host, even asked if we felt like our gifts were being utilized well. It’s my last month on the Race, and I think that’s the first time a host has ever asked me that question.
My gifts may not always best fit the needs of the ministry, and I’m happy to do whatever is needed. But it was just really nice to know that he wanted to plug us in to ministry in the best way for us and for their needs.
We also talked about something last night that feels like it’s really important to be grounded in before we go home.
Holly, Tim’s wife, shared about taking on burdens you weren’t meant to carry. She shared a story from a book she’d read where Jesus asked someone to take a rock up a mountain in a wheelbarrow. No problem. But as the person was traveling, he came across others who needed rocks taken up the mountain as well. Since he was already headed that way, he was happy to oblige. But soon the load became too great, and the man cried out to God asking why the Lord had given him such a difficult task. That’s when God showed the man that he had never asked all that of him and graciously took the other rocks out of the wheelbarrow. From then on the burden seemed easy and light.
After hearing the story, Tim cautioned us against taking on everything we’re asked, but only those things the Lord asks of us. I’m not made to bear burdens He didn’t give me to carry.
But I’ve always struggled with saying no to things that seem good.
I honestly want to help if I can, but there’s another truth here that ties in with the question Tim asked us. The Church is a body. If I’m taking on burdens that aren’t mine to carry, then others are missing out on the things that God designed them for. They’re sitting there just waiting for a chance to use what God has given them, but they can’t because I’m taking on more than my share.
My teammate Ellie loves to paint. She is a talented artist and has an eye for details. So Tim has her painting. I, on the other hand, am happy if I can make an acceptable stick figure, but I enjoy teaching. Asking me to paint and Ellie to teach would be a poor allocation of our talents, even if we’re both willing to do what is asked of us.
A willingness to help is a good thing, but I know there have been times, when it has been pride, not love, that motivated me to extend myself beyond my fruitfulness.
I didn’t want to admit that it was too much. I wanted to be the person who others could trust to work hard and get the job done. I craved the affirmation of people more than the praise that comes from God for simply being who he made me to be.
So please understand that when I get home, I need to set some boundaries, for myself and for others. I need to know what is mine to take on and what is someone else’s rock to carry up the mountain.
It might take me a while to figure those things out. And at times, I might need help saying no. Because even if I want to help, I might need to be reminded that someone else can do it better, which frees me up to do the things God designed me for.
I am so excited to come home and see what those things are, and I pray that as I begin to figure out what my rock looks like, I can help others find the same freedom as well.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-30 (ESV)
