Continue to Live in Him

Great efforts don’t always produce immediate results! Harvest takes time; any farmer knows this. The sun beats down. There is hours of toil & days of waiting. Then, the tiny plants begin to bud. Day after day changes occur. Suddenly the entire land is filled with the harvest. The harvest comes after days of hard labour, time & money invested –after a season of waiting… & waiting… & waiting! Paul said, “At the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9).

Do you feel like quitting? You are not alone - & you are not unique! Everyone who ever does anything significant goes through seasons of discouragement. Don’t give up, seasons change! Even our needs & our desires will change. That is why James says, “Let patience do its work.” (Jas 1:4) The future is ours if we can harness our emotions, discipline our time, hold onto our vision & refuse to let go. Life comes in seasons & seasons always change!

Allow me to again tell you a tiny story. A small-town barber was doing well until a big company moved in across the street. They blitzed the place with signs reading, “EVERYTHING FOR $10”. $10 Haircuts! $10 Perms! $10 Manicures! Everything for $10! The barber lost all his customers & in despair he hired an expert. “I’m finished”, he declared, “I cannot compete with them!” The consultant looked out the window & said, “Not just yet – I have an idea!” He picked up the phone & called the town’s only billboard company & told them to put a big sign on top of the barbers shop. “And what do you want us to put on the sign?” they asked. He replied, “In big bold letters put the words – WE FIX $10 HAIRCUTS!”

People of God, we need to make sure that when the new waves come in & go back out, as they will & do; that we are still rooted & grounded in the truth.

“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Ps 30:5)