2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.I had to look this verse up today. It has been running through my mind quite a bit lately. What with dragging myself out of bed every morning to officiate the Daily Office of Morning Prayer, volunteering at Reagan Elementary School and with Workers Defense Project, choir rehearsal, Altar Guild duties, organizing volunteers for Christ Church's participation and sponsorship of the Old Oak Cliff Fall Home Tour, etc., etc., etc.; I am having some difficulty following St. Paul's injunction not to be weary in well doing.
(Authorized Version/KJV)
It is important for me to remember to seek God in all I do, and find my strength in Him. Although all of the projects and efforts mentioned above are good and important, and in fact God's work; I can not complete them all myself. Point being, I truly am learning when and how I have to say no sometimes. It does not mean I don't care or am not interested in a particular outreach or effort. It just means that I recognize my own limitations: I only have 24 hours in my day. And as my priest has reminded me before, I actually only have about 16 hours, because doctors tell me I need to sleep 8 of every 24.
And I have to take care of the things at home like laundry and cooking and cleaning, or I would have to go naked, starving and dirty in the world to proclaim God's love. How well would that work? So I must remember to seek Him in all things, and do well those things I can, and leave the work I can not do to others, instead of doing it all poorly.
How do you handle growing weary with well-doing?
"Weary" is a good word here. I certainly don't have an answer that would solve the dilemma that many of us experience. I've been saying "no" more lately and it doesn't feel all that good. But just hearing another describe this situation helps me know I'm not alone--and that helps.
ReplyDeleteFound another verse dealing with weariness in well-doing this weekend: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians6:9&version=KJV
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