Please share!
I was in Galatians in my quiet time recently. Chapter 6 to be exact.
There is so much meat in that chapter. But these verses spoke to me as I was getting ready to begin a jam-packed day of errands, while finishing up some things for work, completing the schoolroom declutter, trying to have a few moments with my husband (who surprised us by getting home a day early) and encouraging Ben to finish some chores so he could go with me . . .
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “weary” in these terms:
- Having the strength much exhausted by toil or violent exertion; tired; fatigued. [It should be observed however that this word expresses less than tired, particularly when applied to a beast; as a tired horse. It is followed by of, before the cause of fatigue; as, to be weary of marching; to be weary of reaping; to be weary of study.]
- Having the patience exhausted, or the mind yielding to discouragement. He was weary of asking for redress.
- Causing weariness; tiresome; as a weary way; a weary life.
Who here is weary of stuff?
Do you know how many times I have wanted to give up? On my marriage, on homeschooling, on parenting, on friendships, on churches, on opportunities to serve. Weary describes how I feel so often. I use that word a lot. Far too much.
But in the book of Matthew, Jesus reminds us of what we should do when we do feel weary . . .
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Rest.
I can definitely use some of that! But I don’t think Jesus was talking about taking a nap here. So many times we saddle ourselves with yokes we are not meant to carry. Some of them are physical (and perhaps a nap is in order), but mostly they are the burdens we assume when we are unable to keep up with someone else’s prescribed set of rules. Kind of like those set forth by the Pharisees in Matthew 11.
We are free in Jesus.
Jesus wants us to take on His heart and stop focusing on our own selfish ambitions and the expectations of others who have no claim on our lives. His heart is one of love and service. Mine is self-serving and prideful. The weariness comes from focusing so much on my own desires and imposed shortcomings, rather than on His grace and mercy. In this way, I do indeed lead a “weary life.”
But when I take the focus off of me and my selfish goals, and realize that everything I am called to do is for His glory, it’s so much easier not to grow so weary. I can even feel excited by it all. And the harvest that will be reaped . . . wow! Beyond my imagination.
So friends, let us not grow weary, and continue seeking those opportunities to serve our family and others around us as God Himself presents them before us.
I’m guessing we might not even feel the need to nap.
Please share!
