One of the worst things someone can hear in light of complete exhaustion is, “I am inviting people to a seminar that you are to plan. Let me know the theme tomorrow so I can let other churches know.” Welcome to Team Intrepid during month 4, in Mansa, Zambia.
While being in Zambia, our team has had very little free time. Every part of our day is meticulously planned out and the little free time we have is often spent trying to get that twenty minute nap in after having a quick meal before it’s time to do ministry again. I have never been busier in my life.
Being this busy means that we have seen the little freedom given to us slipping through our fingertips. What is freedom when you’re too tired to stand up? It seems almost useless. And fighting the exhaustion has only brought us sickness as our bodies attempt to make us rest.
It’s not an accident then, that when we are told to plan a seminar, that the words God gave us for a theme is “Freedom in Christ.”
We chose this theme because we have seen so much religion instead of relationship in Zambia. Seeing Christianity as a bunch of rules is no way to get others to accept Christ. During preparation and sharing, this topic has enlightened me to how God has been speaking freedom into my own life right now, as well.
It has only been in light of exhaustion that I have been able to give completely control to God. I have seen His power and His pursuit of me more this month than I ever have. In times when I am certain there is nothing left to give, God asks for more and has given me the energy and knowledge I need. I have stopped trying so hard to have all the right things to say (which I was failing at, by the way). When I stopped trying was when the most people found their way to Jesus.
His pursuit of me has been most evident in the rest I need to get through the day. I sometimes only get a couple hours because I have an embarrassing afraid of the cockroaches crawling on me and the crying baby (who was 3 days old when we arrived) keeps me awake, but God has given me the perfect amount of energy for the day. And it’s these days that I feel the most energized to do God’s work.
Laying the most basics needs at His feet has given me the courage to know He is in control. It’s given me to courage to know that He does provide. It’s given me the courage to know that my prayers are being heard. And, best of all, I have truly seen the Holy Spirit interceding for me. He has given me the perfect words to say to people I don’t know and the best and most perfect rest this last week. Rest that I know is a gift from Him. He really does know me better than I know myself and knows exactly what I need when I need it.
Being this exhausted is the best thing to happen to my relationship with God, because it has forced me to take the passenger’s seat and really allow Him to do the driving.
Financial Update: I am currently at $11,229. By January 1, I need to be fully funded, so still have about $5,000 to raise. God has already worked lots of miracles, so I have no doubt that another one is coming.
Prayer Update: R Squad will be heading to Asia next month! Cambodia is our first stop on this continent and there is a lot of work to be done. Additionally, R Squad is going through team changes! I am so excited about my new team, but it will certainly take getting used to. Be praying for fast and deep relationships to be made and unity as we begin jumping into ministry together.
