September 18, 2017
Resting on Our Laurels
Lisa Morrone, PT
Today’s Truth
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, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:9-10, NIV).
Friend to Friend
When I was in my thirties, I spent seven years serving my local church and the surrounding community as the Co-Director of Vacation Bible School (VBS). One of the tasks I was charged with was to fill the roughly 150 staff positions required to reach the 400+ children attending with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
It was during this staffing pursuit that I witnessed a sharp contrast in the “heart-itude” (attitude of the heart) of some of the older parishioners who attended my church. On the one hand, there were two 90+ year-old ladies who I could count on year after year to serve on the kitchen staff—doling out snacks and washing dishes—whatever needed doing. But sadly, in comparison, there were a few mature women who, when I asked them to consider joining our VBS team, responded with, “Oh, honey, I served in VBS for many years when my kids were little. Now it’s time to let some of the younger people serve.”
Now, these women who were not interested in serving in VBS were not in their 90’s. In fact, they were both in their 60’s and retired from paid employment. Both had decades of vitality left to serve the church and the world, yet because they had already “done their duty,” they felt justified to “punch out,” move aside, and vacate their former roles so “that the younger ones could serve.” After all, they were retired.
My friend, as Christ-followers, we have no retirement date. While you and I may have filled many a role in our churches, on the mission field, or in our communities over the years, this does not mean that we can, at any time, “rest on our laurels.” There’s still work to be done!
I fully understand there are seasons in life when we have different capacities to serve. This is not the point I wish to discuss here today. I simply want to encourage those of you who have faithfully served in the past not to retire, but rather to keep up the good work! You don’t have to serve in the same capacity as you did previously, but you are still called to serve—straight on through your sunset years.
Certainly you may feel yourself slowing down some as you age, which makes it’s easy—and even tempting—to say, “Been there, done that,” to any request made of your time or talents (either by man or by the Holy Spirit). Not surprisingly, God knew you might be feeling that way, so in our passage today He reminds us that we are not to grow weary of going good. And as always, the Lord leads by example. In Isaiah 40:22 we are told that, “He does not grow tired or weary.” Moreover, in verse 29 it tells us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
So let’s continue to serve…in His strength and power!
Let’s Pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me to be your child and for equipping me to be “Jesus, with skin on” to those in this world. Let my ears be attentive, always, to where you call me to serve, and may you provide me with the strength and power I need to accomplish all that you’d have for me to do—for your Name and for your Glory!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
What past Kingdom service / accomplishment have you been using as an earned right / excuse to bow out of something the Lord has been calling you to get involved in now? Remember, our “crowns” (laurel wreaths) of past Kingdom works were meant to be thrown at His feet, not worn on our heads. So, go on, toss that crown at His feet and ask Jesus, “What’s up next?”
More from the Girlfriends
Lisa Morrone, PT is a physical therapist, professor, author of six books, radio guest and event speaker who encourages people to “Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake.” Visit Lisa’s website for more information and to sign up to receive her informative “Monday Morning Health Tips”!
Get Healthy for Heaven’s Sake (Harvest House Publishers) is one of Lisa’s six books in her Restoring Your Temple® health resource collection. Her books are available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com,or wherever books are sold.
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