Take a Knee

by Chaplain (COL) Terry Austin

September 11, 2001, changed our country and our way of life forever. The attack that day, and the subsequent loss of life, propelled us into a fight for our freedoms that has lasted nearly 11 years. It is no surprise that military members and their families have experienced some extremely difficult days. The loss of life and personal sacrifice, like many other patriots of freedom, have altered their lives in ways they never imagined. The fight continues, but there have been times when our military men and women have taken a knee.

It happens to the best of soldiers serving God or serving in the military. It happened to Elijah when he stood against Jezebel (1 Kings 19:4), and it happened to Moses as he led the Israelites through the desert (Numbers 11:14-15). It has happened to spiritual leaders and national leaders alike, and maybe it has already happened to you as it has happened to me.

Psychologists call it “burnout,” which describes long-term exhaustion and a general lack of interest in a once vibrant love of life and work. But that word seems fatal, as if the fight is over and it is time to surrender. Burnout is not the end of one’s ministry or profession; it may just be time to take a knee. Proverbs 24:16a reads, “For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again….”

Taking a knee means to take a break right where you are, in order to renew your strength and readjust your course if necessary. During times of stressful training, it is not uncommon to see soldiers renewing their strength on the run by drinking water and eating a snack of some kind. These quick fixes are effective temporarily, but as the body continues to burn its energy quicker than it is being resupplied, it will not be long before it reaches the breaking point. The same is true mentally. After several days of training without sleep, in a stressful situation, the mental and emotional strength of the best soldiers will break down if they are not renewed.

A key objective associated with this kind of training is helping the soldier realize where his or her weak points are and to identify danger signs in order to avoid a catastrophic breakdown. It also helps them to realize they really are human and they have a breaking point. If they are going to be successful as soldiers and complete the mission, they will have to get resupplied and renewed.

A chaplain friend of mine who attended the funeral of CH (LTC) David Spears told me, “He finished well.” I was happy to hear that said of David because I also know it to be true. But, I think we all want it to be said of us. I do not want to break down before the finish line. I want to fight the good fight of faith and complete the mission. After all, we are in a marathon, not a sprint. We cannot see the finish line, but we know that we must finish. The only way to complete a marathon race is to be renewed along the way, and we can do it by taking a knee.

Lamentations 3:22-24 tells us, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” God’s blessings are continual and abundant, but we have to stop and renew ourselves along the journey.

Burnout does not have to happen, but it can and will if preventive measures are not taken to avoid it. Taking a knee to resupply your energy and renew your spirit is essential. Elijah and Moses had to take a knee. Great men and women of God have taken a knee and renewed themselves for the marathon journey of life and serving God.

Pastor, author, and speaker Wayne Cordeiro, tells of his own journey and successful recovery after burnout in his book Leading on Empty. I recommend this book to you and encourage you to take a knee to renew your strength and readjust your course as you continue soldiering for God.

About the Writer: LT COL Terry Austin is a Free Will Baptist Chaplain currently serving in Korea. He has represented Free Will Baptists through Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. To learn more about Free Will Baptist chaplains, visit www.homemissions.net.