This is Kurt.
Kurt is always happy.
Me? Though I am OK most days, I am not always happy. I have one of “those days” from time to time. You know them. You probably have them too. While Karen comes closer to Kurt than anyone I know, she even has one of “those days” occasionally. For the sake of conversation today, can we just presume that we all do? (Thank you.)
Perhaps Paul had such a presumption in mind when he wrote today’s Scripture passage. I would say (in jest) that he likely made exceptions for Super Christians–but not really because Paul knew very well that they are fictional characters that exist only in their own minds.
So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (Gal 6:9-10 MSG)
And yes, I am kind of hard on those types because I see the damage they do to others. I also recognize the bondage they impose on themselves by their delusions (my opinion). They are genuine victims of the enemy to be prayed for.
The rest of us mere humans, however, must deal with “those days”. What might one look like? Let’s go with Paul’s scenario:
You know God’s promises. You believe them. You may have reason to believe an interpretation of a passage pertains to your situation. Now imagine waiting, and waiting, and waiting. No result. Just more waiting. Eventually, being the mere human that you are, you will have one of “those days”.
In the waiting, you will feel weary. You will feel discouraged. You will feel hopeless, perhaps even like giving up. Though you FEEL these things, take care not to act on them. Know also that great people of faith in Scripture also felt these things.
The key is that they did not let the feelings overcome them (even if they acted on them temporarily). Like them, you too must resist the feelings so you are not overcome. Why am I so sure they felt these things yet were able to overcome them? I am sure because we have their testimony and we know they were human–mere humans like us, complete with human feelings
Like them:
- Though it is the fight of your life, you can feel weariness without giving up.
- Without any evidence but God’s promises, you can trust that your harvest will come by making a decision based on what you believe, not on what you feel.
- You can choose to exemplify God’s character and ways as you wait–the doing “good” of which Paul spoke.
If this was easy, there would be more stories of faith heroes. It is not–but you CAN do it. A secret no one tells you is this: There are still faith heroes today. You can be one just like them. They were not Super Christians. They were mere humans like us who chose to trust God regardless of what they saw or felt.
Will you be one? You can. Will anyone ever know? Perhaps. Perhaps not. One thing is sure: God will know. He will know and you will receive your harvest for what you have sown.
I love the way KJV renders this verse: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”
I want my due season. How about you? God says I will have it, therefore, I will. You can too. Now you have a better idea of what to do to get it.
From ministry friend Randall Vaughn.
(c) 2024 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved • http://www.e-min.org