"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." ~Galatians 6:9
A few years back, my wife had a necklace that had become terribly tangled. She hadn't even gotten to wear the necklace. I told her I would untangle it for her...famous last words. A few days later, my fingers were numb from picking the necklace apart with toothpicks. While I had made progress, I didn't accomplish my mission of untangling the necklace. I lost heart. We returned the tangled necklace. Was that the ending you were expecting? Probably not. The point is that seemingly small tasks can overwhelm us. No matter our persistence we all have our breaking point. It's natural for us to grow weary while doing good for others and for God. The difference is whether or not we're working for a spiritual outcome. Untangling my wife's necklace didn't have a spiritual purpose. Since I spent so much time on it because I love her, how much more time should I spend doing good for Jesus? And when we weary from doing good for Him, Jesus tells us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). On our own we will weary from doing good and eventually give up, but through the process of sanctification, losing ourself to gain Christ (Gal. 2:20), we will reap a great outcome for his Kingdom. Take to heart the author of Hebrews words, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (12:1-3).
Always improve the present moment
Comments