Do Not Grow Weary in Well-Doing

At the same time Christians are called to rest and not grow weary, we are called to strain for the mark of our high calling and labor for the reign of God on earth as in heaven. In sum, the church is called to be at the same time a rest stop and a rescue shop.

There is a Frank and Ernest cartoon that has the two of them riding a road that is marked by an arrow "Road to Success." But up ahead is another sign: "Be Prepared to Stop."

In a world that prizes bigness, we need to be reminded that small is beautiful. In a world that worships speed, we need to be reminded that slow is beautiful. Stop is beautiful. Sabbath is beautiful.

There is an old proverb that goes like this:

Fear less; hope more
Eat less; chew more
Whine less; breathe more
Talk less; say more
Hate less; love more
And all good things will be yours.

Paul cautioned his Thessalonian brothers and sisters this week that they should not grow "weary in doing what is right" (2 Thessalonians 3:13). The Thessalonians were dealing with some particularly wrong-headed believers in their midst who were testing the patience and faithfulness of the entire community. Convinced that the second coming of the Lord was already upon them, some of the Thessalonians had simply fallen out of...