Matthew 26:40 (New King James Version)
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ÂWhat! Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
Working in God’s kingdom is tough. People who are supposed to be loyal aren’t. People who are supposed to show up – don’t. People who have committed to something want us to give them a guiltless trip to the mall when they are supposed to be working with us at church.
Is this any surprise?
Matthew 9:37
Then He said to His disciples, ÂThe harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Parents drop their kids off and go to the grocery store when we are desperate for workers at church. It is hard to preserve a good attitude. Sometimes I get angry. I feel just as tired as they say they are. I have just as much to do as they. Why do I feel compelled to show up and they don’t? Why do I spiral into a pity party that robs my joy?
Bottom line is:
I can do the right thing with the wrong attitude and still end up WRONG.
I must have a positive, happy attitude of service! How is that humanly possible, you ask?
It’s not! It is not humanly possible. “But without faith it is impossible to please God!” I must have faith. I must earnestly seek God. I must count on His grace and providence in light of my weakness! I cannot just “not show up” or faint away from tiredness!
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (KJ says “if we faint not.”)Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Close the door and listen.
A watch was lost in an ice house. Everyone searched through the ice house. No one could find the watch. Finally, a little boy said he would find the watch. He went away and thirty minutes later returned with the watch.
When asked how he found the watch, he said. “I went into the ice house all alone and closed the door. I laid down on the ground and got very still and quiet. It was then that I heard the watch ticking.”
It is in the moments of quiet when we hear the ticking of God’s watch over us. But unless we go into our private place, close the door against the world’s barbaric chaos and quietly retreat into God’s word peace will be elusive. Without quiet prayer we cannot find the quiet of spirit we need.
We shall reap the harvest if we do not faint. But we do not faint if we wait upon the Lord! If you’re tired, rest in the word of God. If you can’t go on, turn on the night light and read what Jesus said.
He was abandoned by his sworn followers and best friends. They could not even watch with Jesus one hour! They left him when he was naked, alone, and in agony. They were “indignant” and said “why this waste” when the alabaster flask was broken over his head and feet. He was sold to a butcher shop for the price of a slave. Who am I to complain of my unfair treatment. Shall I be treated better than my Savior?
Lord, forgive me when I invite myself to a pity party and refuse to leave! I rest in your word. I seek Your will. I rejoice in your forgiveness. Let me and every other missionary out there at home or abroad not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not faint! You are my infusion of love, hope, peace, joy, and grace and more than sufficient to accomplish what concerns me today. Let my love not grow cold as lawlessness abounds. Be with our missionaries, pastors, teachers, and all those who call themselves Christians. I love you Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pictured: Our faithful family dog, Doc after an exhausting day at Christmas. He got in the car as he waited for my dad and mother to load up things and leave. He was exhausted. That is how I feel today. Doc and I are kindred spirits. Tired but yet waiting on our Father.