READING: Galatians 4-6
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Ministry is difficult some days. You give all you have, and few people respond. The work in never-ending, it seems. Folks come, and they go. Some grow in Christ; some don’t. Giving up seems like the logical move sometimes, especially when the people to whom you minister don’t always "get it."
Paul’s letter to the Galatians helps us in days like these. He strongly addresses the Galatians, giving little room in his letter for affirmation. At the same time, though, he is gripped emotionally by his readers. They are still like children in need of parental oversight and direction. Listen to the apostle’s emotion in these words: "My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you” (Gal. 4:19).
It was as if he were going to have to give birth again to the Galatians. Like a mother in labor, Paul was willingly suffering the pain of giving birth . . . again . . . so they might be like Jesus. They were still his “little children” in the faith. That’s a unique kind of love.
ACTION STEPS: Prayerfully consider anyone you know who has been led away from his or her faith. Ask God to help you be willing to pay whatever He demands to bring them back.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to love those people who are sometimes unlovable. Make me willing to go through ‘labor pains’ for them as you draw them to Yourself.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Acts 17–18:18.