Found myself thinking about weariness last night. Not just the tiredness of a long day, or the exhaustion of a long gym workout. I’m talking about the long-term weariness that comes from labors of love that seem to have no end. Sowing, watering, weeding, cultivating, pruning…sometimes the reward seems very far away, while the labor of the day is always close at hand.
True of parenting. Business-building. Church-planting. Writing. Network-building. Job-hunting. Living.
A most comforting passage for me in these times is Psalm 126:5-6 – “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro, carrying his bag of seed, shall return with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Many times, it seems like all seed-sowing and very little sheaf-reaping. But then there are the little encouragements along the way. The sprouts, the buds, the tentative but steady growth of the nurtured plant.
As blogger (and now successful author) Chris Brogan put it this morning on Twitter, “Amazing how much of my overnight success has been spent working in the night.” Exactly.
Plant. Cultivate. Pour yourself out, and pour yourself into others. Endure through the weariness.
There will be a harvest.
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Twitter: @swoodruff
I feel the pain when I am running; then I feel so great and calm; in peace with me and my soul that is worth the prize or the effort.
Excellent sense of perspective. It is often difficult while in the midst of the work to see the bigger picture, or to even realize that there is a bigger picture.
Thanks for a refreshing start to my week (yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving, which makes this article even more timely)!
[...] Weariness. We all feel it sometimes. But then again, maybe hard work is overrated! [...]
Nice post. You have a nice perspective. You know, God always has plans for us. We only have to give 1% of what we can do and God will do the other 99%. That is what I believe. He always know how to reward those who did well in every aspect of their life. Just give your best and trust God… He will do the rest. After all, it is much rewarding after you accomplished a task with your efforts and through your own way.
Psalm 126:5-6 – “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro, carrying his bag of seed, shall return with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
My 22 yr. old nephew drowned on September 12. Just one month ago. I think I understand weariness you speak of. I’m sure our entire family knows what you are talking about. It is a weariness that never goes to far a way from
your thoughts and yet you have to keep going.
And through it all God so openly reveals Himself
when you think you can’t get through another moment
of the nagging pain in your heart. And yet through it
all … God gives you a peace within, a knowing that things are going to be OK. He let’s us know although we sow in tears at this time … one day we will reap with joyful shouting. Lord Jesus … we trust in you Lord!