Devotionals

Rubbing Off and Giving Up

by Anne Adams
08/09/26
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And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

Peering at her reflection in the mirror of her dressing table, Sue reached for the jar of face cream and examined the label. What was it supposed to do?  What did the ads say? “Takes years off – you can have the skin of youth!”  She was skeptical, but at least she’d try it.

Then as she started to lather it on, she heard little Bobby appear in the door with a question. “What ya doin’?” And that was followed by another quick question. “Why are you putting that stuff on your face?”

“Oh, I’m trying to make myself beautiful.” Sue reached her fingers into the jar and slathered more cream on her cheeks.

The normally bouncy Bobby was unusually still as he stood there, watching her finish spreading the cream on her chin and forehead, then reach for a tissue to remove the excess cream.

Bobby stepped closer.  “If you take it off does that mean you’re giving up?”

That was probably a natural and obvious question – to Bobby. And it’s a question we might also ask ourselves on our spiritual journey. Particularly when we begin a new God-directed task and then drop it. But why? Does that mean we’re giving up? 

Our reasons can vary of course. Perhaps it turned out to be harder than we thought it would be – or there were unexpected complications to overcome.  Or maybe completion might interfere in our personal life and friends or family would misunderstand. Or maybe it’s that if we embrace the task it means we have to give up something familiar or comforting. 

So what to do? For as Paul assured the Galatians, we “shall reap if we faint not” for there are immeasurable benefits to the Lord’s completed tasks. After all, once we resume and experience his loving provision and presence, when it’s over we will certainly not be the same as when we started.

Do we want to miss that?