EXPOSE | That’s a lot of good
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” – John Wesley, English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism
EXPLORE | Doing good no matter the cost
Shot in black and white, I can still vividly remember a particular scene near the end of the movie “Schindler’s List” where Liam Neeson, portraying the remarkable life of Oskar Schindler, comes to the realization, that, after all he had done to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust, he “…could have saved one more.”
The book “Schindler’s Ark” by Thomas Keneally and the subsequent film adaptation “Schindler’s List” directed by Steven Spielberg, serve as a profound illustration of not growing weary in doing good.
Oskar Schindler was a German businessman who initially profited from the Nazi regime during World War II. He ran a factory in Nazi-occupied Poland, which employed Jewish workers from nearby concentration camps. However, as Schindler witnessed the horrifying atrocities committed against the Jewish people, he experienced a transformation of heart.
Schindler, at great personal risk and expense, decided to use his factory as a refuge for over 1,000 Jewish workers, saving them from almost certain death. He went to extraordinary lengths to ensure their safety, even bribing Nazi officials and providing food and medical care.
What makes Schindler’s story so inspiring is his unwavering commitment to doing good in the face of immense evil and danger. He could have chosen to turn a blind eye or simply focus on his personal gain, but instead, he chose to use his resources to make a life-saving difference in the lives of others.
Schindler faced numerous obstacles and threats, but he persevered because he understood the gravity of his mission. He didn’t give in to weariness or despair; he pressed on, ultimately saving lives and leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and courage.
In a world often marred by turmoil and adversity, the call to “not grow weary in doing good” holds profound significance, primarily for Christians.
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians provides a foundational verse on this topic. In Galatians 6:9, he writes, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” This verse encapsulates the essence of not growing weary in doing good: There is a divine promise attached to our efforts–a future harvest of blessings and rewards if we persist in doing good. This is the essence of living the right life.
As we’re well aware, in our quest to remain steadfast in doing good, it is not uncommon that we grow weary. Our weariness can often stem from a subtle temptation to focus on the immediate outcomes of our good deeds, or even the rewards promised by God. The world’s system often prioritizes instant gratification, which can lead to discouragement when we don’t see immediate results from our acts of kindness. However, our primary focus should remain on the work of faithfully sowing the seeds of good deeds rather than fixating on the outcome.
EXECUTE | How not to grow weary in doing good
The earlier quote by John Wesley underscores the idea that doing good should be a continuous and unselfish endeavor, reaching out to as many people as possible.
Grounded in Galatians 6:9, to persevere in doing good is to align our hearts with God’s eternal promises, seek His strength, and lean on the support of our Christian community.
While the call to “not grow weary in doing good” is firmly rooted in Scripture, we need to effectively navigate the challenges and temptations that often lead to weariness in our pursuit of doing good. Here are five keys to helping us persevere in doing good:
Remembering the why. We need to remember to continuously reflect on the reasons behind our actions. Keeping the motivation for doing good at the forefront of our minds can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, reducing the likelihood of weariness.
Focus on God’s promises. Be sure to elevate the importance of focusing on God’s promises rather than immediate results. Galatians 6:9 assures us of a future harvest if we persist and encourages us to keep our eyes on the eternal rewards that await our faithfulness. When we concentrate on the act of sowing good, it will also relieve the pressure of expecting immediate results.
Stay rooted in Scripture. Our thinking and spirit are renewed when we seek strength from God through prayer and the study of His Word. Regular communion with God through prayer and immersing ourselves in the Bible can provide the spiritual nourishment needed to avoid weariness.
Community support. Engaging with fellow believers provides emotional support, encouragement, and accountability. When we surround ourselves with like-minded individuals who share our commitment to doing good, it becomes easier to persevere through challenges.
Monitor the signs of burnout. When we choose to persevere in our own strength and without God’s guidance, we will no doubt overextend ourselves. Taking breaks when necessary, setting healthy boundaries, and delegating tasks can prevent exhaustion, allowing us to maintain a sustainable pace in our efforts to do good. Taking time to rest, both physically and spiritually, can rejuvenate our hearts and minds, preventing weariness.
Our ability to persevere is directly linked to our reliance on God’s strength.
By anchoring ourselves in God’s promises, maintaining a strong spiritual foundation, seeking the support of a Christian community, and practicing self-care, we can navigate the challenges that often lead to weariness. In doing so, we can persistently and joyfully continue to impact the lives of others and honor God through our doing good.
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Further Reading:
Don’t grow weary in doing good
Why should we not be weary in going good
4 life-giving ways not to grow weary in doing good
Not growing weary in doing good
Let us not grow weary in doing good
Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash