Truth Amidst Weariness
By: Erica Armstrong
I. Am. Tired. I find myself uttering this phrase all too often. Sometimes at the end of a long day, occasionally during that mid-day slump and more often than I care to admit, first thing in the morning. Does this sound familiar?
Daily responsibilities of raising children and homeschooling, I began to wonder “Why Lord?” I wanted to know if this is the way my life will always be? Should I just accept exhaustion as a regular part of my life for this season? If this is my calling why don’t I feel at peace? Why do I feel drained at the end of most days and somewhat unfulfilled? Why am I not experiencing the joy that comes with walking in my purpose and living in His will? If you’ve ever asked any of these questions, I invite you to read on.
In my frustration, I sought the Lord and He led me to this passage in Colossians, where Paul is telling us about the nature of working in his ministry. Colossians 1:28-29(ESV),
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”
The King James Version(KJV) says,
“ Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”
When labor is mentioned here, it is the Greek word kopiao which means to feel fatigue, to work hard or to be wearied by. Could it be that Paul felt this same exhaustion that I was feeling? If so, why was he also filled with joy and peace, so much so that he was able to encourage other believers in the midst of that feeling?
I went back and reread the passage and 3 words jumped out at me like 3D in verse 29,
“He powerfully works...”
HE WORKS! Not me. Paul is saying that he is not using his own power to accomplish God’s work, but that it is very clearly Christ’s power working powerfully within him. I felt convicted immediately as the Holy Spirit asked, Are you letting Christ do the work? Are you relying on Him for wisdom, strength and guidance by seeking Him daily in prayer and in His Word? More importantly, what are you working towards? A perfectly organized home? Raising children who excel academically? A successful career?
Paul teaches us here that maximum effort goes toward our work for Christ. Do we mirror Paul’s heart for the lost? For the body of Christ? He says that these people are the whole reason he toils, works to exhaustion, risks his life, travels constantly, perseveres through beatings and persecution. It’s all so that he may present them to Christ one day, mature and perfect.
For myself this obviously implies the spiritual growth and maturity of my children first and foremost but if you are not yet a mother, this word is still most certainly for you. Looking back at verse 28 Paul says,
“...warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
Who might you ask is everyone? EVERY. ONE. Plain and simple. The people we interact with every day, those in our sphere of influence. I’m afraid we as Christians all too often decide for ourselves who is worthy of the gospel. We convince ourselves that a person either will not be open to receive, that they will be offended, or that the timing just isn’t right. Even worse, we may decide that we just don’t have time as we go along with the busyness of our daily routines. Paul tells us that the gospel is for everyone. Not only that, but that we must proclaim it.
Paul and Timothy have been called to preach, you might say, but I am not. You, my dear friend are also called to be an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20) as well and we have already been dispatched and strategically placed in our neighborhoods, our jobs, our churches and our homes. Wherever we find ourselves in this stage of life, we are to be giving ALL we have to proclaim Him. What does it look like to proclaim Him? What does it mean?
If you are not sure how, then study to show yourself approved. (2 Tim 2:15) Let’s not be nonchalant about the gospel. Work at it. Exercise that muscle. Ask God directly, how can I share the gospel in my day to day life? Verse 28 in the KJV says, ”preach”, meaning to lay it down firmly, accurately and in order. How do we proclaim Him in this way? We must be students of the Word. We must be investing our time,work, and effort in pursuing intimacy with Christ and sharing the gospel.
Do you feel tired, spent, drained? If so what are you working for today?
