“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
I’m amazed at the way our church family serves God and the community through programs like Mobile Meals, the congregational care ministry and mentoring. These activities are hard work; they take time, effort and sacrifice. One of the comments I hear regularly from our volunteers is “do you think we are REALLY making a difference?” It can be discouraging when we do not see immediate results or when the work we do is not recognized. Many times, the people we are serving do not demonstrate appreciation or we do not see the type of change we are hoping for.
The Bible encourages us to take a long-term view of our work as Christians. Many of my friends will recognize my statement about these situations – “Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!” When we are serious about leading people into a relationship with God through our service, we must recognize that God’s timing is not always our timing. The child we mentor may be an adult before he/she understands the impact of the time we spent with them. The recipient of a gift may not fully appreciate it at the time. And many times, our financial gifts go unseen by the people who are blessed by the amazing ministries and organizations where we give.
The Bible also promises that we will receive a reward for our perseverance. I’m not sure exactly what that looks like, but I trust God will give us the type of reward that is lasting and meaningful, not just a short-term reward which will be discarded. When we offer the love and hope of Christ through our words and actions, we are making a lasting difference that is honored by God. You can know that your effort is never wasted because, “What you do matters!”
Prayer: Dear God, give me patience and perseverance as I offer my time, talent and financial support to bless the lives of others.
Rev. Phil Greenwald, Executive Pastor of Administration
