“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 AMPLIFIED
I recently had an opportunity to share a devotional for a group of volunteers, and thought it might be appropriate to share here on the blog as well.
At times in this life it would seem almost easy to give up on a long awaited dream or a plan or something we have worked hard to achieve. Jesus said that in this life we would have tribulation, but in our trials to be of good cheer because He had overcome this world.
Weariness
can tend to be a part of life especially when you are doing something for the
benefit of others, or "working" for the Lord. Weariness
can hit all sectors; whether you are a volunteer, a parent, a teacher, a laborer, or even a
minister; we are all admonished to not give in to weariness.
Missionaries Robert and Mary
Moffat illustrate this truth.
Robert and Mary Moffat were married in Africa and began their lives together ministering in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana). Robert was the man who called David Livingston to come to Africa. Livingston married the Moffat's daughter and went on to become a world famous anti-slave crusader, scientist, explorer and missionary.
For
10 long years Robert and Mary labored faithfully without one person showing interest in the Good News. They could not report a single convert, and often their very lives were in danger. In fact, Robert once said that the labor was
“compared to an attempt to transform the surface of a granite rock into
arable land.” (1)
At
one point the London Missionary Society considered bringing them home and giving up
the mission. The
thought of leaving their post, however, was very troubling to the Moffats. They were sure that God was in their labors, and that they would
see people come to Christ in due season. Mary would tell Robert, we may not live to see it, but the awakening will come as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow."
Then
one day, friends in England sent word to the Moffats that they wanted to mail
them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting
that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a
communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.”
God honored her faith, and in 1829, the awakening came! The
Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of
six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land.
The
communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but the package arrived on the Friday before
the first commemoration of the Lord’s super in Bechuanaland.