Hard Tasks Need Heavy Lifters

One of the perks of living in Asia is the abundant and affordable transportation options.  Upon arriving in Hong Kong, I traded in my minivan keys for an Octopus card allowing me access to double decker buses, and a lightning-quick subway system for reasonable rates.  Gone were the days of making sure my kids got to school on time; it was their responsibility now.  What an incredibly freeing time for all of us!  Likewise, our time in East Asia gave us access to trains and cheap taxi rides. One of our most amusing drivers professed his love for then-President Trump and then serenaded us with the Star-Spangled Banner as we exited the car.  We had e-bikes and pedal bikes that we took to the wet market, loading backpacks and baby seats with fresh produce.  We had wide streets and ample room for bike and foot traffic.

The lovely lady who sold apples had the sunniest smile.

Then we came to Chiang Mai.  For the very first time in our World Mission experience, we needed a car. The streets of Chiang Mai are lively, narrow, and swarming with motorbikes. There is no shoulder– no grace for missteps.  We chose a home where we could walk to the shops and even the airport, as there was NO WAY I would attempt driving in that craziness. 

All this to say that I have not driven regularly in 10 years.  

I come from a long line of non-drivers.  My Granny Pagel didn’t drive until she was widowed at 60.  My aunt, too, only reluctantly took the wheel when there were no other options.  I like to say that, “Some of us were born to be chauffeured.”  One of my new young friends gave me the term “Passenger Princess” which I also like.  But here’s the hard truth: Not driving is not conducive for our life in Australia.  There are some busses but very few trains, and Uber and Lyfts are expensive.  So Australian Chrissy must drive, even though she resists because of the congested traffic on narrow streets.  But she has learned to enlist Prayer Warriors in the shape of her sister and sister-in-law, amidst many others.   Yesterday, our teammate and we had to return rental cars to the Brisbane airport.  So I followed Matt in our newly-purchased Nissan, trying to remember that the turn signal is on the right side and to stay in the left lane.  It sounds basic.  Elementary.  Not something a 51 year-old woman should have to worry about.  But the fear is real and the task seems heavy, so Australian Chrissy drives, praying the whole way, listening to worship music to calm her nerves and steady her heartbeat. 

What hard task is God asking you to take on, Friend?   Maybe your task is learning to live again after the death of a loved one.  Maybe it’s fighting the fatigue and limits of an aging body; or forgiving that relative whose harsh words still ring in your memory; or sending in that job application which may require you to learn new skills. 

God is honored when we take our hard tasks to Him.  His arms never grow limp or weary of working in and through us.  Enlist your Prayer Warriors, friends who hold up your hands when you feel overwhelmed or too tired to complete hard tasks.  Jesus does ALL the lifting!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

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