Stretched Thin

As I start my fifteenth year of ministry, I realize I have been stretched thin. I started as a missionary in Youth With A Mission, ministering in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Africa for two years. I burned out, trying to “save the world” myself. I then went to seminary, getting a foundation for ministry. Serving churches during those three years helped me survive the academic stress.

After this, I was a Youth Director for a year at a denominational church. It was busy, fulfilling work, but I realized youth ministry was not my strength. A Medical Center accepted me as a Chaplain Resident for Clinical Pastoral Education for a year. This again was fulfilling work, but it was hard on me emotionally as I experienced a death a week in the Emergency Department.

At this point in life, I joined the Army as a chaplain. After the Officer Basic Course and a year of training, my battalion went to Kuwait for a year. Working every day of the year (except for 2 weeks off in the middle) wore on me, but it was a satisfying ministry, as we saw church growth during the military buildup for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I returned to the United States for a year, enjoying getting weekends off again.

The Army moved me to Germany, and I was able to see the churches in several countries during my free time. I spent four months in Baghdad, Iraq. We were mortared weekly, but thank the Lord, no one in my battalion was injured. When we returned to Germany, it was good to be safe in Europe again.

The Army moved me back to the United States, so I could be near family, for which I am very grateful to the Lord. I recently was again stretched thin as we had many things to do as we packed our containers for Afghanistan. The Lord tested my faith by not releasing a sound system for us until the morning our containers had to be shut for transportation. I was reminded I need to “Walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5: 7).

The Army let me know that I have been passed over twice for promotion to Major, due to only a 60% promotion rate. This is what has stretched me thin the most. I have worked hard for the last eight years in the Army, and I presume I will have a challenging year working in Afghanistan. During my two-week leave, I did more praying, reading of The Word, worship, etc., which helped me to cope with the news. I have at least one more time to be looked at for promotion. Regardless of what happens, I am thankful for the Lord providing for me the last fifteen years in ministry, and for the great opportunities I have had being a part of His plan as Christ brings others closer to Himself. The Lord may be stretching me, but He will not allow it to be more than I can handle. See 1 Corinthians 10: 13.

I close with some verses that have encouraged me and helped me learned during these trying times. Prayerfully, they will comfort you as well.

“God causes all thing to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8: 28

“Our adequacy is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3: 5

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4: 8, 9

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1: 6

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 13

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1: 7

“We may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 16

Because I have had to work out for an hour and a half five days a week, preparing for Afghanistan, I have lost five pounds. So I have literally been stretched thin!