[Devoted1]

"The Long Haul"
By: Zach Wood
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.


I just recently finished reading a book on Discipleship for youth and it was very impacting on me. It created a deeper desire in my heart to minister more to teens and help them go deeper in their faith and relationship with Christ. This Scripture was on the last page of the ending chapter. As I read and reread this passage, I thought back to so many times in my past where I've either given up or almost have given up on trying to be effective in someone's life. I cringe at the fact that I have given up in many situations on people. However, I do remember times that I hung in there with those I refused to give up on and minister to. We all have these times in our lives. We think we're not making an impact on anyone around us, and then later on, God surprises and proves us wrong in our thinking. Somehow and in some way, God reveals to us that we've made an impact in ways we could never have imagined. I like those times, but sometimes you have to wait a long time for them.

We live in an instant world where so much is at our fingertips. If it's not instant, we move on to what is. Not all the time maybe, but most of the time. We want to do good, be obedient to God and serve Him even when it seems useless and a waste of time to do so. We become weary because we can't see instant results and we think our time is all spent in vain. At least I do many times. Being in the ministry, this is something I am faced with quite often. It's not that nothing is happening because God IS working. However, it sometimes takes a long time to see results and growth in people. I have to remember that I cannot give up or consider my time investment worthless because I don't see immediate change. There are times when I feel that way and then times when I have total trust in God and believe He is working even if the change isn't immediate. We all go back and forth on these feelings, whether we're in full-time ministry or serving voluntarily.

I really like the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus" starring Richard Dreyfuss. He works hard throughout the movie trying to make a difference in lives and he comes to a point where he feels everything has been in vain. Only then does he discover something that totally blows his negatives thoughts out the window. He enters an auditorium to see a large crowd of people, from throughout the years of his teaching life experience, welcoming him in support for the difference he has made in each of their lives. It's a very emotional part of the movie for me every time I watch it. I think it just reminds me of life and of my ministry experience. I am reminded that God is using me in so many unknown ways to glorify Him and make a difference in people's lives, even though I can't always physically see the results or hear the results all the time.

I know I am a part of "The Long Haul". But, aren't we all? Do we give up easily when we can't see immediate results and have to wait days, weeks, months or even years to see the impact we've made on people? Rest assured that you ARE making a difference in the lives of people around you and remember to not give up. God will use you and He will use me everyday to touch someone's life. He will also choose and ordain times when it is revealed how much of an impact you've made. I know that God is using me in my ministry life to impact people. I'm not saying that I see everything right now, but I do know and believe God is working and He has already shown me much of the impact I've made. He will continue to do so as I live life.

In doing good, we will reap a harvest if we don't give up. You and I are making a difference for the Kingdom. Let's believe we are and continue sharing His love with others throughout the long haul.