Overmatched

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  –2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) 
 
In the darkly violent 2007 film, No Country for Old Men, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, brilliantly played by actor Tommy Lee Jones, confesses to feeling “overmatched" by the evil he sees in a world that has seemingly passed him by. I understand that feeling.
 
There are days when it feels like the bad guys are winning and my best efforts to stem the tide are falling woefully short. But I know that isn't the essence of our existence. Indeed, God never called us to be “successful”, only faithful.
 
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  –2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (NIV)
 
I’m reminded of an episode in 1 Kings 19. After heroically representing God before Israel and watching Him show up in a mighty way, Elijah still found himself running for his life. Exhausted and discouraged, he asked God to let him die. It was in that situation that God revealed a bigger picture: Elijah was not as alone as he thought and God still had work for Elijah to do.
 
I visited with a church leader recently who related some of the same feelings – more on his plate than he could say grace over and sometimes questioning whether he was up to the task of shepherding his flock. Then I saw his heart turn a corner. His eyes grew misty and he became animated as he spoke of college students in his congregation who are leading the way in service and missions: The Spirit of Christ on the move as a new generation receives the baton.
 
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  –2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
 
If we never feel overmatched, it might be that our vision is too small. One might argue that the feeling of being overmatched serves to remind us of our need for God. That isn’t a bad thing, though it does make us quite uncomfortable. But it’s okay to feel overmatched sometimes. Take a breath, say a prayer, allow the Lord to refresh you, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. The outcome doesn’t depend on us and He isn’t finished yet.