“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
Another verse to cheer us on. To hang in there. To keep at it. To go yet another mile. It is very similar to this one, “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV) Why does it seem to be that the reward for doing well and finishing one fight seems to lead to another? And not just another fight, but a better one that presses us even harder. We were just looking forward to a rest. Why is it necessary to press on? Is it simply that if we do not that we will be distracted and things will turn sour? Or is there more? The really hard part is trying to assess the value of pressing on right in the middle of when a decision has to be made. If we could see the end game that might help. Or would it? That shifts us right back into management mode. If event A needs accomplished then why can it not be done in time frame B?
If we draw our strength from the Lord, we must also realize what part of our faith is worth pressing on for. Walking, running, or dodging obstacles in constant prayer is critical. We have the ability to keep a short ledger in our minds of whether our actions are helping or hurting the end balances that we would like to see. Is it possible to back burner that ledger and to keep at a constant front of our minds where Jesus is and what it is He has for us to accomplish? Even if the race takes a sudden turn, is unnecessarily extended, or there is a change in the way it is run? We must constantly ask ourselves “where is Jesus” and “what is He up to”. We must understand that we are workers in His field as opposed to subcontractors that are leasing the field for a time.
Which brings us to our prayer time… Would it not seem crucial for our efforts in prayer to be both early and often? Do we worry more about the names, places, situations, and road blocks; or that they need prayer? Why offer a significant percentage of our efforts in prayer? To be clear about where Jesus is! How does knowing where the King is change the battle? Think about this. Requesting His involvement at every turn becomes critical. Lifting up the array of needs puts them before someone who can handle them. Are we on His business or ours? Running straight at Him no matter what the landscape is like is easier than trying to repave every contour of it. Prayer also reminds us of our need to conduct our battles cleanly because we are His.
If we walk into battle unprayed, are we going to become more or less weary? Our answer can be no less perfect that that of Shasta, “Where is the King?” (The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis)
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18 KJV)