I have a childhood memory of the opening of a TV show that my grandmother used to watch. A man used to say, "Stop the world! I want to get off!" as if the world was a bus or a roller coaster one could simply bring to a screeching halt and hop off. The man was saying, in essence, "There is too much going on. Life is moving too fast. I am overwhelmed. Stop everything; I need a break. I need some quiet. I need time to regroup." Today, the world says things like, "I am so stressed. I need a vaca but there's no where to go. I need a drink. I need some weed (in California, medical marijuana is legal). Let's play video games or watch a movie & chill. I need a massage. I just need to get away and clear my head." Some are good choices, some not so good. I think we all have felt the need to stop and get quiet. Regrouping is one thing. Avoidance is another.
Escapism & Avoidance. Wanting to get away from chaos and trouble is nothing new. In fact, I believe stirring up stress and chaos is a scheme of the devil's to keep people stressed and to keep them or us from focusing on what's really important. It is an old, tried & true tactic. The way in which this tactic is applied simply changes from generation to generation. Distraction, emotional upset, fatigue, pressure, the generation gap, social media overload, constant news...it's all the opposite of what God wants for us. It's the opposite of the peace that God actually provides for us. Spending time with God daily is essential for our Spiritual, mental and physical health. As a Christian, prayer, praise and spending time in God's word is our best and only 'get-away' from this world and its problems.
Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary."
How do we "not grow weary?" What kind of "good" are we supposed to do?
What does this mean to us today?
Well, it means today exactly the same thing it meant when it was written. Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul is exhorting the Christians in Galatia to continue to preach the true gospel which includes walking in the Spirit by faith and not merely following religious laws. Paul reinforces that the Gospel is for everyone in Galatians 3:28. Paul distinguishes between the deeds of the flesh vs the fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5 which is evidence of a true believer. Paul encourages the believers to restore those in sin and to guard themselves against sinning, as all are tempted and may easily also fall into sin. In chapter 6, Paul wisely brings to the surface this admonishment: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life."
And then Paul goes on to say, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
The "doing good" includes all of those things listed above.
How do we do all of THAT in today's culture? All of THAT flies directly into the face of what is acceptable in our culture today. We may lose clients, friends and acquaintances if we post religious, conservative or political views on social media. We may be ostracized for having an opinion that differs from the mainstream media. Our businesses thrive on social media and interaction. How can we live in this society and provide for our families in a non-Christian environment?
By trusting God.
Living by the Word of God is a decision that is not for the faint of heart. If you are a Christian, and you have truly been forgiven, redeemed and made new in Christ, then your values and how you live your life will demonstrate your faith.
As hard as we may try, we all fail from time to time. We may grow weary; this world is a hard place to live in. Miraculously, we have a Comforter, a Redeemer and a God who restores us from weariness. Our daily restoration is found when we are on our knees in communion with God, or when we are singing His praises or engulfed in His Word.
Peter, who denied he even knew Christ three times on the night Christ was betrayed, stated hours before that he would go to jail and even die for Jesus. Clearly, he failed that night. He became weary and caved-in under incredible pressure while sitting with a group of people who were stirred up and watching Jesus as he was being prepared to be murdered in front of everyone. What an awful atmosphere that must have been. If they had cell phones, the scourging, the mocking the public murder would have been recorded. Gruesome. In that atmosphere, Peter, who loved Jesus, grew weary. He must have been afraid. Yet, Christ forgave him. Peter became a mighty man of God after Christ's Ressurection, becoming the leader of the apostles and later, died in Rome, martyred for his faith in Christ. Today you may visit St.Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome which is built over Peter's grave.
Peter grew weary and fell. But he got back up again. And so should we. Simply put: Christ died and rose-He got back up again so we, when we fail, can also get back up again (in addition to receiving our salvation and more). God will give you the strength you need to get back up and to do what He has asked you to do.
The book of Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul to the Galatians. The principles, however, apply to us today. The Bible is not just a book we read; it's a book that reads us. It shows us who we are in light of God and all that He is. If the Galatians were exhorted to walk in the Spirit by Faith, then so are we. If the Galatians were exhorted to share the gospel to everyone and to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit then so are we. And finally, if the Galatians were to "Not grow weary in doing good," then so are we.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 shall find rest for your souls for My yoke is easy and My load is light."
Matthew 5:3-12 The Beatitudes describes those people who are truly seeking after God and how they will be satisfied. What a promise. Don't you love feeling and being satisfied?
In summary, a life of following Christ and living among non-Christians is not an easy life. It was confusing and difficult for the Galatians and it is for us, as well. As the world continues to move in a direction that is in opposition to Christ, we as Christians will have more difficulties to overcome. Matthew 16:24 says, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it." How is this an easy yoke and a light load?
It just is.
God will be your resource if you look to Him for resources.
God will bless you if you look to Him for blessings.
God will make a way when it looks like there is no way.
In the Old Testament, God called Himself, "I AM," meaning I Am what you need. I Am everything you need.
So, Christian, you have been called and equipped. God's word says, "let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men and especially to those who are of the household of the faith". We do this because we are called to do it. We are capable through Christ to do this. We are blessed when we obey God's commands. It is satisfying to do what is right. We should do good while we have the opportunity; there may be times when the door to opportunity closes.
As a Christian, we know and have experienced the fullest love and forgiveness that exists. That all-encompassing love is a love we can never deny once we have received it. It's real. It's better than anything this world can offer. Let us then, offer it to those who will receive it and let us not lose heart while doing so.
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