Press on, Weary One

Do you ever feel weary? I’m weary. Wordsmiths Merriam-Webster spell out the feeling: exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor. or freshness. They add a variance: having one’s patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted.

I’m sure some of my lackluster approach to life today has to do with my age. I’m now three score plus ten. So on that front, I’ve earned the right to some weariness. But it’s become much more than that.

Near the top of my list is my weariness with the attitudes of people toward faith and the church. I keep seeing stories about the “nones" and the “dones." The “nones” tell pollsters they have no religious affiliation for any particular set of religious beliefs. The “dones” are those who for various reasons have given up on institutional religion. Apparently, it didn’t serve their “felt needs.”

I myself am done with the strayers. Those who lead the way out of the faith. These folk were once supposedly strong voices. Pastors. “Christian” singers. Actors and actresses. I just read an article about Chris Pratt that appeared in Men’s Health magazine. After having made some faith affirming statements publicly, he appeared not only to distance himself from a stand for Jesus, but used the “f” word numerous times in the interview. It made me…weary.

I’m tired of greedy athletes complaining about their treatment and their pay. This new LIV golf league has stolen some of the game’s best golfers by throwing enormous sums of money at them. Some claim Phil Mickelson was drawn away by almost $200 million! Sergio Garcia also joined the Saudi-funded tour. He’s made more than 54 million dollars in winnings and sponsorships through his PGA affiliation. Recently he told fellow golfer Rory McElroy that by leaving the tour that took them to the dance, the departing few will “get paid what they deserve.” McElroy laughed out loud and replied, “Sergio. We’re golfers. We don’t deserve to be paid anything.” Good for him!!

I’m weary of media programs trying to “re-educate” us on ethical and moral positions. Several of what have been our favorite network television programs have succumbed to the pressure of the alphabet soup crowd and now must include “gay relationships” in their programs. Amazingly, we find virtually no straight-sex happily married couples on these shows. Anywhere.

They even reach for our kids. The latest Lightyear movie from Disney gave moviegoers the lesbian “kiss.” The film has flopped. But Disney has plenty of crude humor infiltrating the language of our children in their other movies. Yes, I’m tired of it.

I’m exhausted having to filter out the “progressive” way of treating political opponents. In the recent Illinois primary election, the Washington Post described the Republican gubernatorial winner as a “far right candidate.” The Chicago Tribune immediately said this man would likely lose to the current Democratic governor. But in describing a contest of two Democrats, the much more liberal candidate who lost was given graceful language – not that she was FAR LEFT! Because in most media, there IS no such thing! Why fight it?

Today is the Fourth of July…Independence Day. It’s a day to recognize that my weariness pales in comparison to those who valiantly worked to give us a nation where freedom was of high value. Stories that emerge from the Revolutionary War – in fact every war – always tell the tale of incredible weariness. And yet these patriots pressed on. For our sake.

As did the Savior of the world…Jesus. He grew tired. Frustrated. Worn down by the lack of belief. And the spiritual blindness around Him. Yet He pressed on. It is our call.

It was the same for many early Christians. It was why the apostle Paul found it necessary to write to them (as well as us today) these words: “Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.” Galatians 6:9 (NASB)

If you understand my sentiment on this world, please also accept my encouragement: Press on, weary one. A brighter day is coming.

That’s Forward Thinking. 

You can find a number of YouTube episodes and podcasts of Mark’s program, Moving People Forward at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosyuBzdSh1mXIas_kGY2Aw?

For more information on the Elfstrand Group, please visit www.elfstrandgroup.com