The Wealth of Weariness

“For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.” (2Co 13:9 AV)

 

The weakness Paul speaks of here is caused by their ministry to the Corinthian church.  The strength of the Corinthians is their spiritual growth.  In other words, Paul is glad to weary himself that others are made spiritually stronger.  The end goal here is the perfection of the saints.  There is a good tired and a bad tired.  The bad tired is when we are worn out because of our lack of wisdom or business in sin.  Isaiah tells us there is no rest for the wicked.  This is the bad kind of tired.  The good kind of tired comes at the end of a task that gained a great profit.  Like when we do a renovation and we are tired.  Yet the house is new and improved.  Paul is saying he is glad for the good kind of tiredness because it came with the result of the perfection of the saints.

There are times when the LORD asks you to commit time and energy beyond what you think you can accomplish.  Over the years, there were times when sleep did not come right away.  I think of one such phone call.  The phone rang at 2:30 am.  Whenever the preacher's phone goes off in the middle of the night, it is seldom a good thing.  I had gotten the call that one of our sickly members had passed away.  I got myself up, cleaned up, and over to the home by three.  It is customary for the preacher to remain at the side of the family until the mortician removes the remains.  It doesn’t matter when this happens.  It could happen hours later.  The funeral director takes his time because his client isn’t going anywhere.  This also allows for the family to mourn a bit more.  In this particular case, the funeral director didn’t come until around six.   Being a tight-knit community, we took our time visiting and the like until my deceased member was removed to the funeral home.  I was there until about seven then I was ready for the rest of the day.  A quick shower, and off I was to the office.  Needless to say, there was little sleep that day.  But it was a good tired.

Paul tells us to be not weary in well-doing.  However, one has to be willing to be weary.  This is where we fail.  We don’t like to get worn out.  At least at things that we don’t get personal pleasure as a result.  We don’t mind getting worn out if it benefits us.  We don’t mind getting wore out of we score well on the golf course, entertain family, or shop until we drop.  There is nothing wrong with these things.  What Paul tells us is the weariness that comes from the effort towards another is a different kind of weariness.  It is a good kind of tired.  To be used up for the LORD is a privilege.  It is also a pleasure.  Knowing one has given all they have is a good feeling no matter how things turn out.  Knowing we left it all on the field, win or lose, is a satisfaction that cannot be equaled.  If athletes can do this, why can’t we?  Let’s leave it all on the field for the souls of mankind.  Let us leave it all on the field for the edification of the saints.  Let us burn out that there is no oil or wax left for the adversary.  Let our light be brightly burning until God says enough is enough.