Let Us Not Grow Weary

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

I’m a very light sleeper, typically waking at the slightest sound. But I remember one time when I did not. My youngest daughter was a baby, we had gone to visit my parents, and after the long car trip with five kids, I fell asleep on Mom’s couch. When the baby started crying, I didn’t wake up. My sister had to walk over to the couch and shout my name to rouse me. I woke up somewhat disoriented in a very noisy room. I’m still surprised that I could have slept through such a ruckus.

We all get tired, but the apostle Paul said, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV). Is it wrong to take a break when we get tired?

Was it wrong for Moses to sit when he needed help (Exodus 17:11-12)? Or for Elijah to eat and to rest (I Kings 19:5-8)? Even Jesus fell asleep in a boat and didn’t wake up though the boat was being tossed about in a storm (Matthew 8:24-25)! It’s okay to rest. Sometimes that is exactly what we need.

But sometimes when we say, “I’m tired,” what we really mean is, “I’m getting impatient.”
“I’m tired of this task.”
“I’m tired of waiting; I’m ready to move on.”
“I’m tired of all this conflict.”
“I’m tired of these people.”
“I’m tired of sharing the gospel and no one responds.”
This is not just tired. This is weary– reluctant to carry on; discouraged; ready to quit.

When we get spiritually tired, God’s word encourages us to keep going. In Revelation 2:3 Jesus had these words of praise for the Christians in Ephesus: “You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

In 2 Corinthians 12:15 Paul wrote, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls.” One brother at our church frequently prays, “Wear us out in Thy service.” Are we willing to wear ourselves out until we’re spent, day by day, in service to God? Such a thing might mean traveling from house to house preaching the gospel, but it might also look like taking care of small children all day long, day after day, getting them to church multiple times a week, raising them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It might look like working a full-time job and then going to the nursing home every evening to visit a parent who isn’t even sure who you are anymore. It might mean driving many miles just to sit with someone in a waiting room.

Sometimes our bodies need rest. Sometimes our minds and hearts do too. But let us not grow weary in doing good. Paul says we will be rewarded in time “if we do not lose heart,” so let’s be patient about results. Those are in God’s hands anyway. Let’s be willing to “be spent” in His service. Because being worn out at the end of the day from doing God’s work is a good tired if we’re drawing our strength from the One who never gets weary or impatient.

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

Of course the one who spent Himself completely for us was Jesus Christ. 

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  
Matthew 11:28-30

Dear God, please help me when I feel tired or discouraged in fulfilling my responsibilities. Give me patience and strength to carry on when results are not quick or apparent. And thank you for those who are willing to tire themselves out on my behalf – parents, teachers, elders, preachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and others who lead by an example of sacrificial living. Most of all I thank you for Jesus who was willing to give everything for our souls’ redemption. In His name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins