2 Thessalonians 3:13 “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.”
We occasionally need to be reminded of a very important truth as we carry out our assignments from the Lord and that truth is we can grow weary in doing good! Please let that truth sink in. You can become tired, exhausted, worn down, and worn out doing good. While we think the way of the wicked is hard (and it is according to Proverbs 13:15) doing good can be hard on you.
As we work we must also have intentional periods of rest. Jesus told His disciples after they returned from their assignment to come apart and rest.
Being a candle or being an oil lamp, that is the question.
As I considered taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and yes, spiritually so that I can be my best at doing good when my best is needed, I changed an analogy for living life to being an oil lamp as opposed to being a candle. Maybe you have heard that we can look at our lives like a candle. Early in my ministry, I would hear speakers talking about the dangers of burning the candle on both ends yet I also heard speakers say they would rather burn out than rust out. It was a great sound bite, but I did not want to burn out. For me, it made more sense to be an oil lamp rather than a candle.
What does this look like? Let me quickly tell you about the oil lamp. I grew up with several oil lamps in our home as we are prone to losing our electricity. Early on I was taught how to refuel an oil lamp. Did you know that the refueling of an oil lamp meant the oil lamp was not burning? To refill meant blowing out the light and then unscrewing the top so you could pour more lamp oil in. The light had to stop burning for a period of time. By stopping the use of the oil lamp, we were able to continue using the oil lamp.
On the other hand, you have a candle, and it just keeps burning until there is nothing left.
So, picture the battle of the oil lamp versus the candle. The oil lamp will have periods of “rest” and be refueled and then it goes back to burning. The candle burns out. Which do you want to be?
Be proactive to rest so that you might stay strong in the race God has for you. Rest! Refuel!
A March to Remember
For March 13, let us remember Galatians 3:13. Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
In our sin, we are cursed. As Christ hangs on the cross, He takes on our sins, and He then takes on our curse. The curse of God fell on Him instead of us. What a Savior!
On March 13, we encourage you to read Matthew 13 and John 13 to recall our Lord’s teaching using parables and from John 13 how He washed His disciples’ feet, reminding us that it is not about titles, it is about towels. You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.
Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
And remember to DATE the Word