Oftentimes I get discouraged. Do you? When you have tried your best to share truth regarding the Sabbath, whether through the Bible, conversation, even by using well produced videos, yet you’re not able to convince someone, do you feel discouraged? I think what I’m learning because of this is something called “selfishness”! That’s right, when “my” feelings are projected, and I’m not able to do what Christ did by teaching, speaking and preaching. If I’m not able to do what the Holy Spirit does by convincing and convicting, and it affects me where I become discouraged, it could be, maybe not for you, but could it be my intent is really not for them, so much, as it might be for me? If so, then what I do, what we “may” be doing is rooted in “self” and not in “others”.
I cannot imagine Christ or the Holy Spirit feeling discouraged when they know the beginning from the end. So, when to “think” they may feel this characteristic is projecting my humanity onto them. I’m reminded of the story which exemplifies God working on behalf of man when it is written: “4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:” Isaiah 5:4-5 (KJV).
While I have a connection with my brothers and sisters who don’t know, and while I have a desire to share with them what I do know, my “feelings” should not enter into the equation. My purpose and goal is to impart truth. What someone does with the truth after having been exposed to it is left up to them. We continue to pray for them because we’ve planted the seed and now it’s up to God to do the watering, and the pruning, and wait for a harvest. This harvest could produce a good grape or one which is sour, but this is not my fault nor my concern insomuch as it involves my personality and character.
We’ve done our best, and this is all which is required of us. I’m reminded of Rev. 21:4 how, well, let’s read it: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4 (KJV). I think this is the time when there will be “feelings” because we’re able THEN to open the record of various ones who didn’t make it. We’re able to see clearly THEN what prevented them. We’ll see the TRUTH about their thoughts, ideas and character. It, in a sense, it’s them now “witnessing” to us as to “why” they could not, would not, hear the truth we presented, and then “witness” how God tried further beyond our efforts, and like Him say, “What could have been done more…?”
The answer: Nothing. There was nothing more which could be done. Therefore, why the discouragement? Why the pain and tears? It’s time for rejoicing actually because, the former things are done away and sadly, they remain a part of the “former things”, and by contrast, we should be thankful and happy, we made it. That pruning, watering and caring produced a good harvest in you and me and in those who believed.
Never doubt your efforts and accept this truth: Many will not make it and it has nothing to do with you.
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