“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people …” Galatians 6:9-10
I got in the car and cried. My refugee friend had just had a baby — that part, of course, was exciting. But after spending the week helping her family in various ways, I was overwhelmed by the hardship they’ve endured and continue to experience. My inability to lift their burdens was crushing.
It wasn’t the first time I’d felt this way, and maybe you’ve felt it too. The world is so full of suffering that sometimes just a few minutes spent reading the news can tempt us to despair. We may want to bury our heads in the sand just to forget about all the sadness.
It’s not like we can fix the world anyway.
But that’s when we need to remember that the hope of redemption doesn’t depend on us in the first place. There’s only one Savior, and we can trust His good plan.
When Jesus came, He made a way to rescue us from our sins and to restore our fallen world. Despite how it sometimes seems, He hasn’t abandoned creation to destruction. He’s going to finish the good work He started.
Because of what Jesus has done — and because of all He’s promised to do — I can get up, wipe my tears, and not grow weary of doing good, “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Sure, I can’t end wars, but I can befriend families displaced by them.
I can’t eradicate poverty, but I can find ways to be generous.
I can’t save anyone from their sins, but I can tell them about Jesus.
Satan wants to push us toward apathy and inaction. He wants to weaponize any sense of hopelessness to suffocate our compassion. But the gospel ensures we have enduring, unwavering and immovable hope.
Where there is sin, the gospel offers forgiveness.
Where there is brokenness, the gospel offers healing.
Where there is pain, the gospel offers comfort.
Where there is oppression, the gospel offers deliverance.
Where there is despair, the gospel offers joy.
That changes everything. Remembering the hope of the gospel helps us confidently join God’s redemptive work in whatever small ways we are able. The accomplishment of the mission rests on God’s faithfulness, not ours. Nothing can stop Him from building His Kingdom.
So forget the big numbers and statistics and government policies and all those enormous problems that are out of your scope. They’re not too big for God. But He has placed you in a specific place for a specific purpose.
Who has God called you to reach in your neighborhood, church or community? How can you extend His compassion, love and generosity?
Is it the lonely widow across the street? Go visit her.
Is it the child with special needs whom you teach at school? Continue to advocate for him.
Is it a loved one trapped in addiction? Pray for her.
We have limitations, but our God doesn’t. He brings healing, restoration, and redemption to our world. In the places where the world is darkest, may our light shine brightest.
Precious Savior, thank You for looking upon our sin and suffering and for making a way to rescue us. Help us to show Your compassion to others. Please strengthen us not to grow weary of doing good so that we can faithfully minister to the spiritual and physical needs around us. Thank You for the promise that someday You will make all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Matthew 5:14a, “You are the light of the world…”
Matthew 5:16, “… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
When you’re feeling burdened by the brokenness of the world, which attributes of God are most helpful to meditate on? How can you practically let your light shine before others and point them to the hope of the gospel this week?
Author’s note: this article was first published at Proverbs 31 Ministries