Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
You only faint and grow weary if you are trying really hard in the first place! This is a message to those out there really trying to do something for Jesus, DO NOT GIVE UP!
Walking for miles serving the community, lifting heavy stuff, breathing noxious fumes from smoldering garbage, parasites, unbelievable heat, weeks straight of rain etc. all take their toll on missionaries.
Stress from financial burdens, hearing loss (on top of everyone speaking to you rapidly only in Spanish), concern for others, unsaved staff grind on you. Accounting, financial and government officials even more so. Physically, spiritually and mentally, it wears our bodies out after 30 years. Not easy doing what we do. We’re still doing it though. No intention of quitting, retiring or going anywhere.
2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us;
We keep going on, ignoring bad unsolicited advice from the worldly and from quitters, because we know that God has called us here to do what we do. Not paying attention to the bad advice or aches, pains and health issues.
We live for Jesus, and love these children with all our heart. We also love Christians all around the world who are protecting and providing for at-risk children the best they can. We do our best to encourage our brothers overseas too! An orphanage and an old folks home always in our dreams. Not possible you say? Jesus can change everything in a heartbeat.
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
From the verses above, Paul is refusing to accept physical problems or weariness to keep him from completing the work that God had put in his hand to do. He was getting refreshed from the inside. As such, Paul was able to continue to the end. He finished well, bringing God all the glory.
Believers should never quit doing the work that God has shown them to do. That’s a private matter, between you and Him. People say we shouldn’t even get weary, but obviously they have never done what we are doing. Whatever God has assigned you to do, do it well. Let the initial zeal you started with not get quenched along the way.
A surly guy came from Florida to visit (?criticize) us. He said, let’s go out to eat. (Didn’t like Nica food). I said ‘great! Let me grab one of my poor kids to take with us.’ He got furious. ‘Do you always take kids with you when you go out to eat?’ ‘Yes, we hardly ever go out to eat, but when we do we invite others.’ I said sheepishly. That’s why he’s a part time missionary and I’m full time. I really love the people I work with. I have a Holy Zeal for them. I get renewed when I get to bless. I have a zeal for God and want to be used by him to bless others. But the constant hustle can be wearisome. It would never occur to me to quit or go part time though. (Did I mention that angry part-time missionaries are part of the stress as well?)
Weariness has nothing to do with zeal. Zeal comes from within. Rather, zeal becomes progressive. I know mine has. When exhausted, don’t quit or slack back. You’ll see the zeal comes back stronger than ever, IF YOU PERSIST.
You only fail when you quit. Everything else is just learning experiences along the way. I don’t have any money to gamble on stocks with, but the saying is, ‘you only lose money in stocks when you sell!’
Run the race to the end just like Apostle Paul did. He achieved that because he refused to give up….
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Beloved, never give up on your calling, run it to the end.