Bone Tired

And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

Do not grow weary – Sometimes it’s just so hard to keep going.  Sometimes it feels as if we have exhausted our will power.  We are worn out from swimming against the tide of the world.  Sometimes it just doesn’t seem to make much difference.  Fatigued from the spiritual battle, discouraged by the lack of visible change, disheartened by the delayed return of our King, we want to sit this one out.  We just want to be left alone.

When these feelings become battering rams for the enemy, it doesn’t seem like much comfort to be told not to lose heart, not to grow weary.  Verbal encouragement doesn’t heal bloodied body parts.  The Greek phrase me ekluomenoi suggests that we recognize the circumstances for what they really are and not let go of our grip on God.  The negative particle me is the “not” of the situation – and situations change.  Today we are worn out.  Tomorrow we may be refreshed.  But more than this temporal hope, the verb eklou used in the passive mood tells us that letting go has a reflexive action.  When we let go, we perform an action that has effect on us.  We do it to ourselves.  Perhaps Paul chooses this verb because it reminds us that God does not let go.  We are to recall those wonderful promises in Romans:  Neither death nor life, things present or things to come, power or principalities, height nor depth, nor any created thing (and that certainly includes the present circumstances) can separate us from the love of God in Yeshua HaMashiach.

The Greek text could be translated “not faint” rather than “not grow weary.”  Getting tired isn’t the issue here.  The issue is becoming unconscious, pushing so hard that we pass out.  The Greek eklou comes from a root verb luo which means “to loose, to unbind, to dissolve, to untie or unfasten.”  Perhaps Paul noticed that when we get this tired we dissolve our connection to God.  We untie His cords of love.  We lose our minds.  That is the real danger.  Refreshment comes every week.  Sabbath is intentional R & R.  God knows we need it and He provides for it.  But fainting and weariness are our responsibility.  When we let go, we unravel.

What is the solution?  Do good.  My daughter told me, “I can envision what kind of person I want to be so, and then I just have to act like that person.  Pretty soon it will just become part of my character.”  Yup!  Do you feel weariness coming on?  Are you bone tired?  Are you losing your mind?  Mental exercises will not help.  Cognitive assertion of the words of faith or exhortation would do much.  But doing good, oh, that makes a difference.  Doing good requires that I show benevolence toward someone else, even if that is nothing more than keeping one of the mitzvot as an act of goodness toward God.  Doing good gets me out of my slide toward weariness – and there is no lack of need when it comes to finding good things to do.  Try it.  It’s much better than Cymbalta, and a lot cheaper!

Topical Index:  weary, faint, eklou, doing good, Galatians 6:9

RACHEL – most of you know that Rachel joined the Navy and is now 1 month away from graduation from boot camp.  Yesterday I got my first letter from her.  While she is generally positive, she has had some very upsetting news regarding her hoped-for plans.  Apparently, there is little if any likelihood of her being stationed overseas.  This is one thing she really wanted.  She said that when she heard this, she started crying.  But then she got 10 letters in the mail and that really cheered her up. So, if you wrote some encouraging words to her, THANK YOU.  If you haven’t but you want to, please do so without delay.  Every letter makes a big difference.  You can write her at:

SR MOEN, Rachel

Ship 3 Div 148

Recruit Training Command

3600 Ohio Street

Great Lakes, IL 60088-3156