It seems that we always find ourselves in the same place. We are just too tired to do whatever it is that is important to us, because we spent our time doing other things. Sometimes that exhaustion comes from other situations in our lives. We endured a very difficult and troubling situation at work, home or in our relationships with others. Just the thought of what we went through makes us feel even more exhausted. It just seem like we go from one exhausting situation to another and never enjoy a moment of rest and peace. We are always doing things. However, I would ask, “Are we doing things for ourselves and not for others?”
Think about the question carefully. Are we more interested in doing things for ourselves rather than others? Are we also too tired to do things for others simply because we spent our time chasing after something that we thought would be great for ourselves? As you think about these questions, I ask you to consider what things should be important to you. If something or someone is important to us, we should always have the energy to do those things.
Paul, in his epistle to a number of early Christian churches in Galatia, writes in Chapter 6, “9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Paul makes it a point to tell not only those early churches but also us that it is important for us never to give up or say that we are tired of doing what is good. As you think about Paul’s words, I ask you to think about the energy you receive when you do something good for others. How does it make you feel when you go out of your way to help another person? You feel energized and ready to take on more tasks. You look for other things to do for those in need.
When I volunteered to work in community food banks, I felt a great sense of satisfaction and energy. Although I may have been physically exhausted and had an aching back from lifting heavy boxes, my spirit was alive and full of energy. When I had the opportunity to work in the distribution area and see the faces of those receiving the food, my heart filled with love and my body was energized to do more for others.
When we do good things for others, we receive a blessing from it. Although we may not receive words of praise from them, we know that our Heavenly Father rewards us for doing good things for others.
In Matthew 6, Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount to the masses, said, “4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
We are not here to seek the approval of those around us. We are here to give glory and praise to our Heavenly Father. Our goal in life should be to work for the Kingdom and not for the delight of others or ourselves. We find our purpose in life through working to help those who need it most during those rough patches of life’s journey.
God searches the hearts of all and rewards those who work hard in the Kingdom. God, in Jeremiah 17, tells us, “10 But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
God is the only one who knows our intentions and the motives of our hearts. He sees through us and knows what is in our hearts and why we do things. If our intentions are motivated out of love for others, especially His children, God will reward us in accordance to our actions.
We should always find the energy to do those things that give glory to the Lord. We should never be too tired of doing good. Even if we receive nothing in return from those receiving our acts of kindness, we should never allow that to stop us from continuing to do good for those around us.
In Romans 12, Paul writes, “21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
It is our responsibility to overcome evil with good and not to repay evil with more evil. We should not allow evil to influence our decisions or actions for good. Evil only begets evil. Good overcomes all and is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus and the desire of our Heavenly Father.
In Luke 6, Jesus says, “27 But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
Never allow anything or anyone to cause you to do evil or falter in your ability to do what is good. You should always be ready and willing to do those things that are good for others and seek nothing in return.
When you do good for those around you, you feel good on the inside and it shows to the rest of the world. When I feel that I cannot go any farther and that my energy is low, God puts opportunities into my life that allow me to serve and those opportunities remind me of the good that I must continue to do even when my strength is waning a bit and I feel that I cannot move another inch.
When you do those good things for others, I ask you to remember the words of Jesus. In Matthew 35, Jesus tells us when the Son of Man comes into his glory, all will be brought before the Father. The sheep will be on the right and the goats on the left. Jesus then says, “34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
No matter how exhausted you are, never give up or say that you do not have the energy to do what is good for those around you. Your efforts and deeds will be rewarded by the Lord.
As you continue through the rest of this week, I ask that you remember these words when you have the opportunity to serve but may feel that you do not have the energy to even move. I can assure you that you will find the energy to do good and when you do, you can stand firm in His grace.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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