9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
– Galatians 6:9-10, NRSV
“Disaster fatigue,” the experts call it. It’s what happens when people are so bombarded by an onslaught of bad news that they lose the motivation to help meet those needs brought on by the disaster. When people — good people, people of compassion and love and good will — experience “disaster fatigue,” they are all but rendered unable to respond with compassion, with love, with good will.
It’s a somewhat new catchphrase… but I don’t think it’s a new problem. In this letter to the Galatian church, Paul seems to be speaking to a kind of compassion fatigue. These followers of Christ seem to be growing weary in their love and care and good works. Why else, after all, would he write, “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right?”
You may be experiencing a bit of “disaster fatigue” at the moment. Too much bad news, overwhelming news, discouraging news, wearying news. At first, you may have felt such Christ-centered, Spirit-led motivation to meet the needs of others… but now, some seven weeks in, you may wonder if you can make any difference at all in the face of a global pandemic. You may have grown weary.
Scripture is speaking to you today, my friends. If you’re feeling weary, seek out the things that can renew you… but don’t grow weary in doing what is good, and compassionate, and right. It’s who God has always called us to be, after all. We’re people blessing people.
Remember, my weary yet warmhearted friends:
Our God is bigger than coronavirus.
Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too.
We are people blessing people.
We are Wesley Church.
Blessings,
Pastor Candy
Want to know more?
- Learn about our church and its ministries: https://wesleychurch.com/
- Make a gift to support our mission: https://wesleychurch.com/giving-2/
- View our recent messages: https://wesleychurch.com/sermon-message-on-video/
- View previous devotionals: https://wesleychurch.com/pastor-candys-devotionals-2/
