Scripture: Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Devotion: I remember when I was pregnant with our first child. Our pastor’s wife came up to me and gave me some encouragement that I will never forget. She shared with me a verse that she had clung to throughout her years of parenting their four children. Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” She told me that in the ups and downs of parenting, to not grow weary. Raising children who are respectful, kind, and love Jesus is no small task, but she said that it will reap dividends in the end.
Now having experienced toddlerhood with our oldest, I understand what she was saying. It is exhausting. There are some days where it feels like we are doing a good job raising him to be the kind of man we desire him to be and then there are days where it feels like our hair is on fire and we are screwing it all up. But when I think back to this Scripture, I am reminded to not be discouraged or downtrodden by it. In God’s timing (and with a few more years of age), I am hopeful that we will see the benefits of choosing how we parent now.
As we talk about constantly pursuing a life of holiness and not simply falling back to our old ways, it feels a little similar: overwhelming and exhausting. And as we seek to live a life like this, it can feel the same: overwhelming and exhausting. But let us use Galatians 6:9 as a reminder, that we should not grow weary. It is worthwhile to pursue God’s best for us. Even when we don’t see the benefits in the moment, even when it is really hard, even when we want to turn back to our old ways, it is worth it. All in God’s timing, we will see the blessings that come from living the way God has called us to.
Reflect:
- Are there areas of your life where you are tired or burnt out?
- How can you give those to the Lord to speak life into?