Do Not Give Up

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

I am in a place in my life that doesn't always make sense, especially to those who don't know all the details. However I have peace that this is where God wants me to be, and even though I have this peace it can still be difficult to want to try to plead my case to outsiders who can't fully understand. If I could just stop focusing on how I am perceived by other people and only care how my maker sees me this would not be as difficult as I make it at times.

Doing what you know God is calling you to do is not always easy. Thankfully God's word says we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I can't help but think of Noah. God called him to make an ark that was four hundred and fifty feet tall, seventy-five feet wide and forty-five feet high. God also warned him of a flood that will wipe out all life under the heavens. I can only imagine what his wife was thinking when he came to share with her the words God had spoken to him. I wonder what kind of scrutiny and ridicule he had to put up with. He spent one hundred years building a giant boat. Try to imagine what your loved ones reactions would be if you were to do that.

In 1 Samuel 16 the LORD sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel, a son of Jesse. When Samuel thought for sure the oldest son would be the next king. The LORD said to him in verse 7, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (NIV) Samuel obeyed God and passed over seven of Jesse's older sons and anointed the youngest son, David, who was just a boy. That same boy in the next chapter defeated a giant, with a sling and a stone and later became one of Israel's greatest kings. We can't worry about what man will think of our decisions, they cannot see our heart, only God can. If God is in control of our lives we cannot go wrong, no matter how crazy we look.

If God has laid something on our heart to do, we need to bathe it in prayer and do it, even when it doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. Isaiah 40:28 says, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. (NIV) God's spirit goes so far beyond our human minds; it doesn't always have to make sense. And what relief to know God will not grow weary or tired. He will give us the strength to carry out what ever he has called us to. I'm sure the harvest will be well worth it. Just don't give up.

Father, give us the courage to do what you have called us to. Help us to be heavenly-minded and to look to you for strength. Thank you for always being there for us.

Sarah Hostetler