Don't Be Weary

Good Morning,

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 (CEV)
Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don't give up. We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.

The Christmas season is officially over. How do I know that? Well, all of the advertisements I'm receiving in my newspaper is not filled with the "storage" season and soon to be replaced by the blanket and sheet season. So, that's how I know that the Christmas season is now over. Okay. So, I'm being a bit facetious about it. I'm sure you caught that. However, it is truly unfortunate that for many people, even many very good people, the Christmas season IS over and they've gone back to being more "normal" about living their daily lives. I guess that we are all sort of like that, aren't we?

During the season of Christmas our hearts seem to be more deeply touched by those who are have needs in one way or another. It seems that during the time when we're putting up colorful lights and decorations our hearts are more easily touched and our eyes more clearly see that there are true needs that we can help with. We do more, it seems, when we see the embellishments of Christmas all around us because we are reminded more distinctly of Jesus and His coming as Lord and Savior. But then, that time of celebration and the more easily opened hearts of people does, unfortunately, come to an end.

Today we read a verse of Scripture that is pretty clear about how we ought to live our lives all the time, even when the "season" for doing good and being more aware of need has past. "Let us not become weary in doing good," or as the CEV reads, "Don't get tired of helping others." Even if we don't go on to read that there are rewards or a harvest that is to be reaped because of doing the right things, doesn't it seem that just DOING the right thing for people is enough of a reward in and of itself? But maybe I'm a bit Polly Anna-ish about this. Perhaps I'm not a realist in this world and am more of what might be called a "bleeding heart" when it comes to the needs of others. You know what? I am...a bleeding heart, that is. At least I've hears some say that of me...and of my wife and how we sometimes do what we do.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people," and the CEV, "We should help people whenever we can."

Is this not clear direction from God? Isn't this what God wants us to do? Shouldn't we be going out of our way to look for ways that we can do good and help people? Even for those who might not be believers, doesn't it seem just the right thing to do for humanity? To help? To do good?

Bringing it back around to the fact that the Christmas "season" is over, shouldn't we act all the time like we do when we're thinking about Christmas? Shouldn't we have that "Christmas Spirit" all the time?

Okay. The "message" part for today is over. Here's some reality, though. It's cold out side. There are people who have no roof over their heads and no warm clothes. There are people who are hungry. There are people who are truly in need. Here it comes now, the tough part...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THEM? That's it. Think about it. If God speaks to you about it, obey. If you don't hear God speaking to you about it, please examine where your heart is at this point in time. Sorry to appear harsh this morning, but it's what I'm hearing from the Lord. Got to get off this computer now and go DO something. Care to join me?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David