“Don’t get discouraged and give up.”
When you work for God it is always too early to "punch out!"
In ninth grade I made a few bucks working part-time for Morris Greenspan Lamp Manufacturing Company. Like all employees, I “punched the clock” two times each day.
I had only been working a short time when I noticed a peculiar pattern among employees. As the minute hand lumbered toward quitting time many shelved their work. They milled around the time clock just waiting for the precise second the clock struck five so they could punch out.
I’m sure there were some lazy ones in the bunch, but I also know many employees were dedicated, hard working men and women who were just tired. A tough day of hassles and headaches made “punching out” look very inviting.
Spiritually speaking I think the Apostle Paul understood punching out. Writing to the Galatians he says,
So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
Did you catch what Paul said? “Don’t get discouraged and give up.” He might as well have admonished, “Don’t punch out!”
It's Friday. Are you fatigued? Is a temptation pounding on your door? Has the Christian community grown a little cold? Does following God seem less appealing than giving into what the world offers? Paul’s words to the Galatians are God’s words to us:
“Don’t punch out! You will reap a harvest of God’s favor at the appropriate time.”