Daily Devotional – Hebrews 6:11-12 – December 25, 2023

“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:11-12

Have you ever felt reluctant to do something for God’s kingdom? Perhaps you feel exhausted from your day job, spending quality time with your family, or simply are just tired of always having something to do. So, when it comes time to go to church, serve the kingdom, or even just sit down to read the Bible, you feel a lot like a reluctant servant. Possibly you’ve found yourself saying at church, ‘if no one else will, then I suppose I will.’ Or feasibly you have found your inner dialogue to be something like ‘Jesus, I love you, but I really don’t want to do anything else. Please don’t ask me to do anything else.’ What causes Christians to feel so reluctant? Is it a general busyness that our schedules are always filled to the brim with activities? Or could it be feelings of inadequacy, where we don’t feel good enough to serve, teach, or even approach God in prayer or through his Word? Or is it a selfishness, where we aren’t willing to sacrifice our time to for others, but would rather have more “down time” or “me time”?

Take some time to identify what may be causing you to be reluctant in your life, and what may be keeping you from serving God wholeheartedly. Any sacrifice you make by foregoing plans, teaching that children’s class for the third quarter in a row, losing ten minutes of sleep to read the Bible instead, will never be in vain. God will reward you, and your sacrifices. The verse above offers Christians encouragement. It isn’t uncommon to feel lazy or tired of constantly giving of yourself, but be diligent to the very end. Think of the disciples in the New Testament who continued to travel and share the Good News up until their deaths. Your diligence, and imitation of such men, will not only strengthen your faith, but will help you continue to grow closer to God and your reward in Heaven.

Prayer:

Father, There are days where I feel so overwhelmed, so empty, simply so tired that I am reluctant to serve you. God, please forgive me for my feelings of reluctance, and instead strengthen me. Help me to be diligent in seeking you and serving your Kingdom until my very last breath.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

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