The Word
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” ~Galatians 6:7-9
The Thought
I had it out with God Tuesday night. I wanted to throw in the towel. Give up.
Have you been there?
Life doesn’t make sense sometimes, and try as we might, we end up with more questions than answers. It’s hard when things don’t go as planned. It’s discouraging to know that obedience doesn’t always translate to desired outcomes.
I came to bed feeling hard pressed on every side. When I looked at different areas of my life, nothing seemed to be going as planned. I felt like I was floundering instead of flourishing.
In the midst of my wrestling with God, I expressed my frustration: Lord, am I just “spinning my wheels”? I find this question ironic. The past two years have been some of the richest times I have had with Christ and his Word. So many sweet times in the secret place with him. And yet, somehow, on paper, it looks like it is not translating into real life.
Why am I still struggling in this area when I have prayed over and over about it, surrendering it to you? How can I meditate on your Word day and night, and still lack wisdom? I am sowing but am I reaping the harvest?
Are these not questions we all ask in some form or another.
You feel defeated when your child continues in a pattern of sin even though you’ve been praying for deliverance for years.
You feel inadequate when the passions of your heart are being lived out by someone else.
You feel unseen when the words you write or share go unnoticed, or even rejected.
And yet here is this sweet, gentle reminder from His Word: let us not grow weary while doing good.
But, Chris, you say, I am so weary. I am worn out. My tears have been my food day and night. I hear you, friend. And all I know is that his word promises, we will reap. One day.
As Bob Sorge shares in Secrets of the Secret Place:
“When you sow to the Spirit by giving dedicated time to the secret place, you will eventually reap life in the Spirit. Eventually.”
I am constantly reminded his timetable is not mine. As Galatians 6:9 reminds, “for in due season we shall reap.” Meaning that proper time when God in all his infinite wisdom deems best. My job is simply to wait in perseverance. To never give up. Press on. Fight the fight.
Tim crawled into bed with me that night as I unloaded on him my wrestling with God. The next morning I woke to read something he wrote in response. It was the most beautiful reminder that it is ok to remind God that you’re in the wilderness. It’s ok to pour out your complaint before him.
I’m sharing the entire article in the Mending today with the hopes it will mend your heart as it has mine.
Never Give Up, friend, never give up.
The Mending
"You feel inadequate when the passions of your heart are being lived by someone else."
This was absolutely the post I needed to read today. Last night, I literally told my husband "I just want to give up (on the ministry/creative ambitions we're working to build). Is it too late to try and do this with our lives? Shouldn't I get a more secure job and just focus on making money?" It feels like everyone around us is so much further along in their goals/work than we are. The discouragement is real.
But your post is such a great reminder to not give up. I need to meditate on that verse. Plus, I love "Secrets of the Secret Place"... Such a foundational book for me as a young adult, but I haven't thought of it in years. So encouraging ❤️ Thank you!
You only rant to someone you know is listening and to someone you know will not strike you dead. Trust. He does want us to share our hearts with him. He can help those hearts that are honest. He always has and will always continue. Long-suffering and patient he is and a day will come when we will not need to evoke those attributes of his. We covet your grace, Lord!---