Lose Yet Gain

We moved from a property with an abundance of oak trees to one with many pines. The difference between the two varieties’ canopy is oaks have leaves, while pines have needles. The commonality is they lose most, and some, all, of their leaves in the Fall. No matter how often you clear them away, in no time at all, the leaves and needles blanket the ground again. Your work seems fruitless, yet you consistently remove them for the health of the grass and the beauty of your lawn. Trees must lose their leaves to ready themselves for new growth in the Spring.

“And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

We do our best in sharing the Gospel’s truth with others and follow our Lord’s command to love Him above all and others as ourselves. But sometimes, it feels like we’re losing the battle; we see no fruit of our efforts and grow weary or discouraged. Yet sincere Christians will not let weariness, discouragement, hardships, ingratitude, or obstacles stop them. They press forward; God will accomplish His purposes.

Paul encourages us with these words: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58). When we stand firm in the Word and trust our faithful God, victory is ours. We have eternal life with our Father awaiting us.