“… let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Research from the Massachusetts-based Schott Foundation on Public Education has shown more than half — 53 percent — of black male students drop out of high school without a diploma, compared to 22 percent of white males. This stunning statistic foretells of a permanent underclass that will be forever stuck outside the American mainstream, left to get by in an underground economy. A failing public school system, dysfunctional households, inner-city life, and racism all play a role in this recurring nightmare.
There are undoubtedly a host of factors that have kept our young men on the road to jail, rather than Yale. However, undetected by the educational experts is another dropout rate more severe than that of our youth. What I find to be even more alarming is the number of Christians who have dropped out of a passionate pursuit of God. What about all the preachers who have dropped out, worship leader dropouts, prayer partner dropouts, usher board dropouts, children church dropouts, musician dropouts, pastor aide drop outs, church member dropouts. Could it be had these remained in place, in position and in pursuit of God our communities would report lower dropout rates, teen pregnancies, and crime? A BUNCH OF DROP OUTS! If you wanted to guarantee the decline of a ministry, community — or a nation — in the 21st century, you could hardly do better than to impose academic failure on half its young men coupled with spiritual laxity in the church.
As Paul closes his letter to the Galatians, the last thing he speaks of is a promise. In essence he says, "Let us not get weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DON’T DROP OUT!!!" The image here is of a farm. If there is one worker who knows what it means to stay on the job, it is the farmer. He must prepare the soil, sow the seed, pull the weeds, and water the plants. He can never afford to give up, quit or drop out. Regardless of the long hours, the heat of the sun, or the cold of the rain, he must keep on working. And in spite of all this, he has no guarantee of reaping a harvest.
Although the farmer has no guarantee of the harvest, WE DO. God promises a harvest to those who do not give up. God promises a harvest to those who do not become weary in well doing. God promises a harvest to those who do not drop out. I know the road is rough… and the going gets tough… and the hills are hard to climb… but it’s harvest time… it’s too soon to quit. So whatever you do DON’T DROP OUT!
Prayer
Father, help me to be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in your work. I know my labor is not in vain. This is my due season. The set time of the hour is upon us. Harvest has arrived. I thank you in advance for the strength to reap and gather what has been prepared. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Go Deeper?
Deut . 15:7-8; Josh. 21:45; Ps. 102:13; Ps. 118:25; Mark 10:13-14; 2Cor. 1:20; Gal .5:7; 2Peter 1:3; Rev. 2:7, 11, 14, 26; Rev. 3:5,16, 21
Research from the Massachusetts-based Schott Foundation on Public Education has shown more than half — 53 percent — of black male students drop out of high school without a diploma, compared to 22 percent of white males. This stunning statistic foretells of a permanent underclass that will be forever stuck outside the American mainstream, left to get by in an underground economy. A failing public school system, dysfunctional households, inner-city life, and racism all play a role in this recurring nightmare.
There are undoubtedly a host of factors that have kept our young men on the road to jail, rather than Yale. However, undetected by the educational experts is another dropout rate more severe than that of our youth. What I find to be even more alarming is the number of Christians who have dropped out of a passionate pursuit of God. What about all the preachers who have dropped out, worship leader dropouts, prayer partner dropouts, usher board dropouts, children church dropouts, musician dropouts, pastor aide drop outs, church member dropouts. Could it be had these remained in place, in position and in pursuit of God our communities would report lower dropout rates, teen pregnancies, and crime? A BUNCH OF DROP OUTS! If you wanted to guarantee the decline of a ministry, community — or a nation — in the 21st century, you could hardly do better than to impose academic failure on half its young men coupled with spiritual laxity in the church.
As Paul closes his letter to the Galatians, the last thing he speaks of is a promise. In essence he says, "Let us not get weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DON’T DROP OUT!!!" The image here is of a farm. If there is one worker who knows what it means to stay on the job, it is the farmer. He must prepare the soil, sow the seed, pull the weeds, and water the plants. He can never afford to give up, quit or drop out. Regardless of the long hours, the heat of the sun, or the cold of the rain, he must keep on working. And in spite of all this, he has no guarantee of reaping a harvest.
Although the farmer has no guarantee of the harvest, WE DO. God promises a harvest to those who do not give up. God promises a harvest to those who do not become weary in well doing. God promises a harvest to those who do not drop out. I know the road is rough… and the going gets tough… and the hills are hard to climb… but it’s harvest time… it’s too soon to quit. So whatever you do DON’T DROP OUT!
Prayer
Father, help me to be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in your work. I know my labor is not in vain. This is my due season. The set time of the hour is upon us. Harvest has arrived. I thank you in advance for the strength to reap and gather what has been prepared. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Go Deeper?
Deut . 15:7-8; Josh. 21:45; Ps. 102:13; Ps. 118:25; Mark 10:13-14; 2Cor. 1:20; Gal .5:7; 2Peter 1:3; Rev. 2:7, 11, 14, 26; Rev. 3:5,16, 21