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
The only race I remember from running track in high school is the one I quit. Have you ever grown weary in trying to accomplish a goal or life vision and given up?
We all face the challenge of growing weary in following God’s vision for our work, roles, and relationships at different seasons. The grander vision God invites us to requires patience, intentionality, and perseverance. When I am at my best as a leader, a team member, a father or a husband, I am actively cooperating with God and intentionally investing in that area of my life. The Apostle Paul encourages fellow followers of Jesus to patiently persevere in the face of adversity, discouragement, and frustration.
As we experience situational set-backs, relational hurts, fear, burnout, etc., it’s easy to give up on the vision, shift our mindset to false beliefs, and lose our conviction. Paul gives the visual of a harvest, a field full of fruit because the farmer didn’t grow weary and give up. He uses this image to shift our focus upward and outward—upward toward God’s power and grace to patiently persevere in doing good and outward toward the desired future. Your planting is not in vain he reminds them—stay the course because the harvest is coming.
The future you will experience is worth the challenge of staying the course today.
What If BBT Never Happened?
I’ve had the privilege of knowing several BBT staff and watching the ministry’s journey over the years. Starting a ministry and getting traction is no small task. People misunderstand who you are, why you are doing it, and what you want to accomplish. Like any organization, unforeseen challenges and obstacles can get in the path. Some seasons feel like a strong wind at your back, and others feel like a hurricane coming straight at you.
What if the BBT team grew weary and gave up? Imagine if the dream for BBT died years ago because the leadership thought it wasn’t worth the cost? Imagine the impact that would have been missed in workplaces if they decided it wasn’t worth the effort to take the next step. When we are feeling weary, our gaze tends to turn inward, and we can take our eyes off God and others. When we recognize the weariness, refuel, and keep our eyes focused on Jesus and the future vision He has for us, we can patiently persevere and stay the course.
What does it mean for you to patiently persevere in doing good in your work?