This is my third attempt in as many months to write this and, until now, I’ve hit delete, closed my laptop, and moved on to do something else. For a blog that touts “laughing matters,” I didn’t want to seem like I was going negative- not that I think it’s necessarily negative to acknowledge problems that exist in our world. I think that’s a belief that Christians and the Church have bought into and it keeps us from talking about some really important things. There’s a reality we live in and sometimes reality isn’t pretty. At times, it’s just downright ugly and, if something comes to my mind repeatedly as this has, I figure it’s for a reason. I promise we’re going to land in an encouraging place before it’s all over so just sit tight.

For the last couple of years, I’ve become more and more aware of the decline of personal responsibility in our society. I’d bet you have, too. It seems to be a problem that really presented itself during the Covid lockdowns and has just kept growing. Kind of like Gorilla Glue does. I keep up with national news pretty closely, so I know it’s not a local issue or isolated problem. You likely don’t have to go far from your own home before you see some aftermath left behind by people who made a decision to push their problem onto someone else. Doesn’t really matter who- anyone but themselves. “Let someone else deal with my inconvenience” seems to be a popular option for managing things, these days. We can see it in everything from trash on the side of the road to litters of puppies abandoned in parking lots to children who aren’t cared for- there are so many problems that can be traced back to someone who refused to take responsibility for something that was theirs to handle. 

Most of us can’t even wrap our brains around the lack of conscience and absence of concern it would require to throw a bag of trash out on the side of the road or not give our children any kind of moral guidance. Maybe some decisions are based on financial situations or mental illness that can’t be helped, but I’d say laziness, selfishness, and spiritual emptiness account for most of it. Whatever the reason, there seems to be a growing number of people who refuse to do the most basic things expected from any able member of society and we’re all living with the consequences. 

Probably the most stressful occupations, today, are those that have to deal with the effects of the growing responsibility issue. Teachers. Police officers. Human and social services. Animal control and rescue. Medical personnel. Waste management. Those are just a few. They’re frustrated, overworked, overwhelmed, and work dangerously close to the edge of total burnout, each day. I suppose there’s only so much sadness, chaos, grief, and frustration a person can take on themselves-  especially if no progress or end is ever visible to encourage them to keep on going. 

But, I’d say the professionals who deal with the aftermath of societal problems aren’t the only ones who are getting weary. As Christians- as God’s Church- as ministers- as responsible citizens- we can also get to a place where we’re exhausted from ministering in the places where Jesus is desperately needed. We can become overwhelmed in our work to undo some of the harmful consequences of apathy and irresponsibility. We can lose heart in the massive size and scope of the aftermath of sin and inaction. We may even be tempted to label “those people” as the source of all the problems and give ourselves a free pass from any responsibility. If we’re not careful, resentment and anger will creep into our hearts and attitudes. 

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary in doing good. For in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Different translations say it in different ways- grow weary in doing good- get tired of doing what is good- become discouraged in doing good- lose heart in doing good. We’ve all felt that way. As with anything, we usually start a project, a ministry, a calling, a job with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. We see a need, feel a calling, and energetically get to work. In time, no matter how you want to word it, we can just get worn slap out in doing good- the southern translation. It doesn’t happen quickly or all at once. It gradually creeps in when we’ve been at it a while and we start to question how we’re really making a difference. The verse tells us to just keep going, not give up, and trust God with the harvest of results. Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” 

So, as you put on your law enforcement badge, head to your classroom at that high risk school, look for homes for abandoned animals, work with the prison ministry, volunteer to pick up trash, prepare a sermon for a discouraged congregation, go to your prayer closet for revival in our country, clock in for the night shift at the ER, work at that after school program, or whatever beautiful calling God has placed on your life- do not grow weary or tired or discouraged or lose heart in doing good. God will not forget your work and how you’ve helped His children. Keep on keeping on. He sees you. “Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”

Y’all have a great weekend! 

May your football team win on Saturday! 

JONI