Verse of the week -- Galatians 6:9

Sometimes I grow weary.

Weary from lack of results, repeated failures, and, well . . . self pity.

Sometimes I just get tired.

Tired of redirecting, disciplining, teaching, instructing, modeling, having patience. Tired of the physical work of motherhood – dishes, laundry, cleaning, meal planning and preparation, bookkeeping, and general home management.

And yet, encouragement to continue on, to stay the course comes clearly in the book of Galatians. In its simplicity verse nine of chapter six says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” It reminds us to keep our focus on our goal. Not on the doing good, but rather on the eternal reward to come, the reaping at the end of this life. Jesus Christ set this example for us on the cross. He kept His eyes on the joy and endured the pain. My typical day will never come close to the day He had when He died, and my focus can keep me joyful and energized despite my circumstances.

This morning on my walk I looked around. I gazed up into the sky, so vast, so incomprehensibly huge. I glanced to the wide horizons that stretched to surrounding tree lines and spanned acres of farm land. Even all that I could see was only a portion of this world which is only a portion of the universe which is only a portion of God’s influence and Being. Two truths that struck me:

~God, as awesome as He is, still cares what happens and is intimately involved in my little world

~What happens in my little world needs to be kept in perspective of His awesomeness.

All that I do should be done in service to Him, which never grows wearisome. If my day is filled with simply caring for children, homeschooling, and housework, it will get tiring, old, boring, and I will grow weary. However, if my day is filled with service to God that plays out in the every day care of my family, that can bring joy and renewed strength for each day.

Here’s some more of the chapter (with some of my ponderings in the midst):

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself (That combats those days when I pat myself on the back for a ‘good’ day. If it’s all about Him, even my something is nothing without God). 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (How many times a day do I tell my kids to worry about themselves not their brother/sister? We’re responsible to use the time and talents God gave us, not as compared to others). 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Every opportunity needs to be capitalized on, never growing weary, or thinking we are doing ‘enough,’ but always seeking to glorify God in all that we do).

I know I will still lose my focus, I will still grow weary on some days, I will still be human. Yet, in those moments, to step back, remember the love that the Great and Holy God of the universe has for me even in that moment of weakness, I can find the strength to continue on, to faint not, to continue in well doing toward those in my little circle of influence. Just as Christ on the cross, I can keep His joy in my line of vision.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

~Galatians 6:9~