Like many words in the English language, stretching can be taken many ways. It can be a good thing – stretching before a workout can prevent injury. It can be a bad thing – stretching the truth is synonymous with lying. Sometimes, it can start as a good thing and then go too far – tearing pizza dough or a muscle. When handling Scripture, it’s important to use it properly – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling [applying] the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. I find that many Christians (myself included, possibly even in this blog) will take a verse or two and then apply it to a situation incorrectly to make a point or claim a promise that isn’t meant for us. This series is to take a look at more common Scriptures that are taken out of context and/or stretched beyond their intended meaning.

Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

There’s a book called “A Tale of Two Beasts” in which the same story is told from two different perspectives. The first is of a girl who finds a small beast in the woods and takes him home, feeds him, and tries to take care of him. Unfortunately, she leaves the window open and he runs away. The other perspective is from the animal who is captured by a terrible beast that carries him to her lair. There she attempts to poison and humiliate him until he makes a daring escape to freedom. In multiple churches, I have seen different perspectives cause havoc conferring amount of service. The first side is of a leader seeking volunteers for a ministry. Once they get someone started, they are eager to pour more and more duties and responsibilities and are offended when they are told no, or not right now. They quickly throw out this verse as a club to beat the volunteer into submission along with the following comment – “If you quit now, you won’t ever be blessed by God and you shouldn’t even be part of this church if you’re not willing to X.” Meanwhile, the volunteer is feeling overwhelmed and unloved and they either need to submit to this verse and accept more until they burst or sacrifice relationships and efforts and leave because they were too “weary” to go on.

In the previous chapter, Paul writes to the church about serving each other with love. In this chapter, he is continuing by giving additional practical advice. It starts with restoring, with gentleness, someone caught in transgression and bearing one another’s burdens. It continues with reaping what we sow, which is where this verse is found – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (v. 7-10). This means that we should do good for each other and not stop doing good as long as we are able. However, it does not mean that we have to undertake every task that is available or every task that is requested. It’s hard to say, “No” when asked to volunteer for something when asked. You should always prayerfully consider whether that’s the right position for you to be in at that time.

Like all coins, there is a flip side. We should constantly search for what God’s will is for our lives. Often it will lead to new and/or different opportunities to serve. Many times, church members will get involved in a specific ministry (Sunday school teacher, choir member, deacon, etc.) and are not willing to even explore the possibility of God wanting them to do something else. We need to be open to God’s leading in different directions so we can continue to be stretched and grow as Christians. Again, prayerfully consider whether that’s the right position for you to be in at that time.

Let us use this verse to encourage us to continually take care of each other, not to force our will on another. Be gracious when looking for help, but also when being a volunteer.