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

To be honest, sometimes, I feel like the work that I do for the Christian church is too much for me to handle. Quite often, there are too many things to do and not enough time to do them. There are church services to prepare for; there are people who should be visited. I have about three PresbyCan Devotionals on the go, and I seem to have neither the time nor the inspiration to finish them. For many years, I have led a spiritual talk twice a month at the local Long Term Care Centre, but I needed a break from that, so I asked for the summer off. Sometimes, I feel like I want to do more, but I am overwhelmed when more work comes my way.

For instance, last December, I did a memorial service for the husband of a childhood friend who had suddenly died. In some cemeteries in this part of the country, they don't have winter burials, and I was asked if I would also do the interment. When we returned from a three-week stay in the Netherlands, there was an e-mail indicating the date just a couple of weeks later. I agonized over the time delay since his death, and I prayed about the words to speak at that time and the wounds of loss which might be torn open again for his wife, who is not well and lives in a nursing home.

At the time, I was already really anxious about the preparations that I still had to make for the various other things that I had to do, and it was most overwhelming. It was keeping me awake at night, and I was having trouble concentrating on the things that I still had to do, both for my church work and the normal things around the house which take up part of my time.

After the burial of my friend's husband, her son gave me a DaySpring card of thanks, and it cheered me right up. Here is what it says:

God is using you for His special purpose, to shine His light, to share His love, to shape His people. You are making a difference in ways you don't even realize and you are very much appreciated.

Reading this took my anxiety and worries away, and I will continue to do the Lord's work as long as I am able.

Do you, too, feel at times that your effort to bring the word of the Lord to those who need it is so difficult? Please carry on; you are making a difference!

The card ended with this verse:

2 Corinthians 9:8 – God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (NIV)

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, there are times when we seem to get so discouraged doing Your work, times when we feel so inadequate, times when we struggle to do the things that we feel we should be doing. At such times, through the words of Scripture and fellow believers, enable us to carry on. We thank You, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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