Helpful Comparisons
While traveling to speak at a Bible conference in Malaysia, I had to fly
nonstop for 20 hours. Some sympathetic friends made remarks like this: "My, that must
have been tiring!" I couldn't encourage their well-meant comments, however. During
the flight I had been thinking about the hardships of the pilgrims as they sailed to
America on the Mayflower, and I could find no reason to complain.
Sometimes it's good to compare our situation with that of others. This is especially true
when we think we are too tired to put forth that extra effort in serving the Lord.
Consider the apostle Paul, for example. He worked "night and day" at tentmaking
to support himself so he could preach the gospel to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians
2:9).
Today, many youth workers give their all to run successful camping programs. Missionaries
undergo hardships to evangelize the world. Busy mothers sacrifice to help in vacation
Bible schools. Of course, we must maintain a balance between work and rest. But when we
put forth that extra effort for God, we will at times become very tired. We may even get
so weary that our bedtime prayer will be, "Lord, I'm exhausted. Amen." I think
God will smile approvingly and give us a good night's rest.
-HVL
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor
Rest comes sure and soon.
-Coghill
When the going gets too easy, you may be going downhill.