A Word in Weary Times

It means a lot that you’re reading this, because you’re probably reading it even though you’re tired. Tossed and turned by news headlines and life changes, almost everyone I talk to is tired. You certainly aren’t alone if you are. If the fellowship of your tired brothers and sisters weren’t enough to tell you that you aren’t alone, the Lord even acknowledges in his word how staying faithful in a trial can wear you out.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:9-10)

Paul is comparing life to farming here. It’s patient, hard work with cursed soil. But eventually a farmer does reap what he sows and tends. Choose the right seed and tend it the way your father taught you, and eventually years of plenty will come. One year may see a scorching wind, and your progress will wither. The next may bring bugs, and all your progress will be eaten. It is so tempting to say, “See, it doesn’t matter. The harvest of the diligent gets eaten along with the harvest of the lazy.” But eventually a harvest will come and the diligent will reap their fruit in front of the lazy. So the wise farmer takes his weary hands back to the field and gets them dirty again. 

Walking with Jesus is much the same way. Catastrophe comes and takes much of the reward you thought faithfulness would get you. You read the reading plan diligently but then get sick and can’t read for two weeks. You do business honestly and a pandemic closes your doors. You attend church every day for twenty years and then it gets cancelled. Fatigue tempts you to say, “See, it doesn’t matter. The harvest of the diligent gets eaten along with the harvest of the lazy.” But, just like farming, the harvest will come. Only this fruit is even more reliable. Jesus will return–with reward in his hand. 

So Paul encourages them to do the same things we must keep doing. Keep watch on ourselves against temptation (6:1). Take each other’s burdens as much as we can (6:2). Stay humble (6:3). Invest in the new life God is giving your heart, not in your body’s desires and coping mechanisms (6:8). Keep doing good even when you’re tired (6:9). Do good to all, especially those you go to church with (6:10). If we keep doing these things, the season will come when we reap from them (6:9). What a harvest, when Jesus says something like, “you held fast in trial, proving your faith, enter into my happiness.” 

This is the harvest we long for. In the meantime, your pastor and deacons pray for you every day. And your Good Shepherd does more for you than we ever can. The day will come when we reap, so keep sowing and keep doing good.