Friday, 3/14/14
My wife and I heard a testimony on K-Love yesterday from a man who served an eight year prison term for robbery and drugs. He confessed he had made a mess of his life as a young man but added that once he was in prison, he had plenty of time to reflect. He said that he then remembered everything his mom and his Sunday School teachers had taught him about God as a boy. I immediately felt motivated to find a way to incorporate it into today’s blog. And as I thought a little bit more of this man’s testimony, I also began to wonder of his mom’s, as well as his Sunday School teachers’ reactions on the day he was sentenced to prison. I bet they all entertained the thought that they had either failed him, or else that everything they taught him had been in vain.
Just about everyone that serves God in any capacity, or serves others in their calling, worries at times that their efforts to help others may have been in vain or served no purpose. I was reading yesterday in the 2nd Chapter of Philippians and I noticed that the Apostle Paul had that same concern. Among other things, he advised the Philippians that in fulfilling their obligations not to complain or argue for if they did, it would give the gospel a bad testimony. He encouraged them to keep on shining brightly for God so that in the Day of Christ he could boast that he had not run or labored among them in vain. I’m pretty sure we all know how it feels to work at some project for hours, days, or even weeks, and get nothing out of it.
I believe every single one of you who is reading this blog, because you are human, has entertained thoughts of quitting because you have seen no results at work, home, church, or in your calling. No, don’t stop. Keep on going! Just like the mom and teachers of the man in our story, it may take years before you realize that what you did was worth it. But even if you don’t see it in your lifetime, if you did it for God, He saw it. Galatians 6:9 says: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. The Harvest may be here or in Heaven, but it will come.
Memory verse for the week: Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
