Life comes with many demands and responsibilities and we don’t always have the luxury of taking the day off. And this means we’re often called to do things simply because they need to be done regardless of how we feel in the moment. We do well to acknowledge the feelings, but still we carry on.
For instance, if we don’t work then we don’t eat. And much more than the literal food we consume, we neglect our duty to bring more life and goodness into the world when we don’t show up to do the work that is ours to do.
But life will not always present us with ideal conditions for work. Sometimes we just don’t feel like it, and at other times we’re faced with significant hurdles, setbacks, and hardships – making it all too easy and understandable just to take the day off.
To be sure, wisdom and discernment are needed here, as sometimes our best choice is to rest – trusting God’s provision more than our own human efforts.
All the same, life goes on and we don’t get to forfeit our responsibilities just because things are hard. Our strength is needed for such a time as this. And we find the inner resolve to keep showing up and advancing the good even when life is taking everyone else out.
While this is not fair, we’re not looking for pity. In many respects, it’s our joy to be unwavering in our strength – coming through for others even under the most difficult circumstances.
Of course, at some point we must return to the care of our soul. We risk burning out and becoming ineffective when we’re always charging the battlefield without adequate time to rest, reflect, and to be restored.
In the end, your strength is needed and cannot wait on ideal conditions to act. Acknowledge your hardships and carry on – faithfully continuing the work God has called you to do.
Photo by Jared Erondu on Unsplash
