With 4 weeks left, we are at the end of the school year, or at least pretty stinkin’ close. I am currently grading research paper rough drafts on communicable and non-communicable diseases on all 130+ of my students, and I have to really really focus. I’m weary. We are all weary. We are also doing state testing in the mornings with students and it is stressful. When I leave work I often feel mentally drained. If you have ever been a teacher, or live with a teacher, you probably understand this. I was telling my best friend that I had a day last week that I literally came home and went to bed at like 4pm and slept hard. It is the final push of the school year with students, and to be honest we are all tired but trying hard to stay focused to finish strong. Have you ever seen an overtired toddler respond to stress? Its never a good thing for anyone. There are probably memes out there joking about the reality of such circumstances.
At the beginning of a school year it takes a little bit of time to get into the groove of things and reminders to stay on task. It is hard to come off of summer schedules and get back into the school routine, it takes focus and determination to get back into that groove. Mid school year we are usually doing pretty well, and fairly focused, etc… but then by the end it is a battle again as everyone is exhausted. It can be the same way with our faith walk as well.
Many times, we begin standing strong in faith for something, however, as time passes, we become weary and begin to let go of our faith stand. It becomes harder and harder to stand in faith and almost impossible to press forward.
Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
The Amplified Bible says it like this, “And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”
Yesterday I was out walking with my dog. The smell of fresh cut grass got my attention. It seemed like winter weather had lasted forever. I am now seeing and smelling buds on trees blossoming and it is actually starting to feel like spring. God was showing me as I walked how the dead things have to be removed to make room for growth and new blooms. Even the grass, even though I can just now see the green, was rooting and growing and moving upward and onward beneath the surface. It is so hard when you are tired of “winter” and dont see the evidence of “spring” you become weary in the waiting. We have to trust that He is indeed doing a new thing. I have noticed something similar in my own personal life.
When I am pressing through a challenging season or standing in faith for a breakthrough – there always comes a time when I become weary. When it feels like I don’t have the grace to stand in faith another moment. I didn’t always know this – but I have learned that it is in that very place, I must take a deep breath and push with all my might (much like the last push before a baby is born, if you have given birth you know what I mean) and press on through. We have to press so that new life can come through. If we stop pushing during birth, both mother and baby could die. In faith, it feels like sometimes the grace is no longer there to press in, still, I must push on through anyway. Why? Because it is on the other side of that ‘moment’ that breakthrough comes. I can’t count the number of times this very scenario has taken place in my life. Currently I am in a place of having to keep pushing and pressing through because I know that the other side is closer than I think.
Hebrews 3:14 says, “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.”
The Amplified bible says it like this, “For we have become fellows with Christ and share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation [in virtue of which we are believers] firm and unshaken to the end.”
Steadfast to the end. That is where we must stand. And it’s not always easy. Let's be REAL - it is stinking hard and some of the most difficult times we have ever had to deal with, but we must continue steadfastly.
I don’t know where you find yourself today. Perhaps you are weary. I understand more than you realize from my own perspective. If so, look for those in your life who are full of faith, who will help you walk that last mile or help you push that final push and remind you why you are. Whatever you do, hold your confidence steadfast to the very end. When you do…you will reap! You have His Word on it.
