I wonder how many of us who have spiritual responsibility struggle with a deep weariness. Maybe there was a time when you went to your day's work singing - but not now. Are you tired of being one of the few people who cares, or maybe you're frustrated with little results for lots of work . . . maybe just tired of not being appreciated?

God's Word has a prescription for weary workers (actually a preventive prescription) in Hebrews 12:2-3, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART."

He says, "Keep your eyes on Jesus so you won't get tired and discouraged." Those who step up to spiritual responsibility experience a special kind of weariness. It's a deep emotional kind that saps your physical strength, too, because you're surrounded by needs and demands . . . from being one of the too few, carrying too much with long hours.

The ultimate cause of our weariness is taking our eyes off Jesus, not necessarily the pressures or stresses of ministry. Although you know better, you've gone from God working through you - to you working for God, and you've been doing God's work in your strength. You've focused on the tasks, the workload and the results you're getting instead of the Savior you're serving. Or maybe you've gotten your eyes on the people around you - their problems, their negative points, their approval. Focusing on people, on jobs, and results - it just wears you out.

If this is where you're at and you're prone to discouragement, to thoughts of quitting what you were called to do, it's time to get your eyes back on Jesus. It was His love that compelled you to serve in the first place.

Hope to See You in Bible Class.