Galatians continues today. Paul gives me this.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."I'm really tired. I don't know if if I'm weary though. Is there a difference? Is it important that he says "weary IN doing good" and not "weary OF doing good"? I wonder if there is more than one proper time? Did I mention I'm tired?
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I feel your pain and my bones ache with the same sleepiness.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you guys think and how do you persevere?
I'd add these questions to the conversation:
What constitutes a "harvest" for y'all? And what would it mean to "give up?"
I couldn't answer my own questions and now I have more? Seriously, I think your questions are even trickier than mine. I don't know about the harvest one, but as for giving up, I think it's different for each person, but I think it is as simple and as complicated as remaining obedient. If I know that I am being obedient to God, then no matter what activities I let fall away, I haven't given up.
ReplyDeleteYo Yo Dogs, Sorry, I have been watching a bit too much American Idol. Speaking of which, any of you been watching it?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I notice is that the contestants do seem to get pretty weary as the season goes on. Criticism from the judges, the work it takes to be at the top of their game every week. Whew. that is stuff worthy of making us worn out.
Interestingly, idol contestants are sowing seeds of their music in hopes of reaping a reward. but the reward is 'of this world', no necessarily sinful but so far as their harvest is temporary.
Paul calls us into a sowing and reaping metaphor that is not limited to 'this world' but eternal and lasting.
I think his call to us here is more about reaping than sowing. More about the planting than the harvest. Notice that the directives here are about that. Harvest is just the result. We can't make the seed grow to maturity. We can just plant the right seed, God creates the increase.
I learned this all to well farming in ND for 13 years. I grew so weary during the farm season. I planted the seed, tended to it, but ultimately, in the end, my harvest had a whole lot more to do with things that were out of my control than what was in my control.
Ok, so here is my point. Finally.
i think we get weary sowing seeds for which we are defining the goal of the harvest. We hold a worship service and grow weary because only 10 people show up. We sow into someones life with time and energy and grow weary when the person goes back to their 'sin'. The 'good' that we are called to sow then, must have an eternal perspective and a view that goes beyond what we see in the natural. And that sowing is done in the strength and provision of energy through the Holy Spirit. When we sow in the flesh, looking for natural harvest,(numbers of people, $ coming in, people's lives that we are able to see changed) our strength wanes.
what thinkest thee?
I think I'm ready for the year of Jubilee.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, but I have a question in return. Even when we know that all those things (#'s, $, visible change) aren't what defines the harvest, even when we live as though we believe it, the constant struggle is exhausting. What do you think is the best way to deal with that exhaustion? Is there some kind of spiritual Gatorade that you've found?
Hello Scott and Dan. As I was reading I rememberd a joke I heard when I was a kid. Why does a bicycle have a kickstand? Because it is two tired.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to make light of serious matter.
Feeling tired, worn out, weary can lead to more serious conditions. I think we can be tired from the wrong reason or because of the right reason. Why do I get tired? What is, honestly, my reason or cause for being worn out? I know you are weary for the right reason, investing yourself in people and other aspects of ministry. Some time back I was working the 3 p.m. to midnight shift. One Saturday I showed up for work at 3 for work and worked (not by choice) till 5:30 a.m. I had to teach the adult Sunday School class that same Sunday morning. I decided not to go to sleep because I was afraid I would not be able to wake up in time. I taught the 1 hour class that morning and stayed for worship service. I think I went to bed about 1 that afternoon, but not before telling my wife, "I am so worn out, I got to quit teaching Sunday School"
That may not be the best example, but what I want to get across is what is really wearing me out, honestly? Am I tired physicly, mentaly, do I need to see a doctor?
If you are tired because you are doing ministry, I have to say, "YEA! WAY TO GO!" If we are tired because we are frustrated with doing ministry, I believe you are doing beyond what you are called to do. We do what is possible, within our limitation of being human. God will do the impossible, what is within his limits (HE HAS NONE!) I looked it up. The word "weary" (Ekkakeo) in Galations 6:9, what we are not to be, means:
"Denotes cowardice, faintheartedness. To be unfortunate, desperate. Usually translated to lose heart" I use tired and weary interchangeably. To me they mean the same thing. But it looks like Paul means it to say: "don't lose heart" My transalation, "STAY AWAY FROM GIVING UP!"
Spiritual Gaterade? I love that (where can I buy it). If it's good ole fashion "tired" because of or for the right reason, I suggest recreation. Notice the word, "re-creation". Our heavenly Father is the most awsomeness Creater. No other Creator exist like Him. He gave the 7th day to re-create ourselfs and rest "from" (separate/apart from) our labor. God intended this formula of every seventh day to enter into it tired and come out of it re-created to do the labor he has us doing. When we do not enter the day/time of rest, we will become weary, fainthearted, in doubt and maybe ready to throw in the towel.
I have a good idea of what you guys do as far as ministry goes. Only you and God know why you get tired. Tired is good, it is one of the natural results of labor. It should not be the cause of faintheartedness, doubt or lose heart with our labor.
Because of what you are doing for God's kingdom I want to tell you, Here I am, I'll be a kickstand, if you need it.
After re-reading and counting all my misspelled word, I see I have been preaching to me. Thank you for poseing this question. I needed to talk to me.
"Be tired, not weary"
Well you preached to me a bit as well. Thanks Fred. Good insight on the Greek word. I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't check that myself.
ReplyDelete