As a participant in the National Bible Bee Summer Study, you are entering the final month before the NBBC Qualifying Test. At this point, you might be having feelings of defeat. Your schedule is busy and as you try to balance everything and multitask, you face the challenge of keeping your mind focused. Then, this thought invades your mind: “How will I ever be ready within a month?” Or perhaps you are on the opposite side of the spectrum and are ready to take the test and just be done as your mind explodes with content. As a participant in past years, I remember some things that went through my mind. It seemed like I couldn’t cram any more information into my brain, yet I knew I had so much more left to do. Regardless of how you may be *feeling*, I would like to encourage you to continue pressing on through some truths found in the following passage of Scripture.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” –Galatians 6:6-8
First, we must take a step back and assess the motivation driving us. Are we sowing to the flesh or the Spirit? If our hope is placed in the number of passages memorized, Greek words learned, or cross-references studied, we will certainly be disappointed. This increased knowledge of God’s Word is amazing and a gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted. The words found in Scripture are the only things that will endure forever (1 Peter 1:25). However, the Word of God shouldn’t be just an addition to our lives – something that makes our current dreams, hopes, and plans better. It IS our hope! Without God and His Word, we have nothing. If our only goal in this study is to receive some earthly reward, we are sowing corruption. But, if we are truly seeking to know God’s Word, we will reap something unperishable.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” –Matthew 6:19-21
Next, let’s talk about growing weary in well-doing. Weariness is a feeling that comes for a variety of reasons. Persevering in doing good often leads to a lack of enthusiasm and burnout. This is something that we will all experience at some point in our lives whether we like it or not. Thankfully, burnouts never last forever and we serve a God who desires to strengthen us in our pursuit of Him. His strength is most clearly seen through our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). Nonetheless, burnouts will arise and how we face them when they come is what will distinguish us from others. Where do we turn when levels of discouragement rise? There are many ways one could “cope” with weariness, but the following are methods tried and true supported by scripture.
Remember why you are doing this. When stress threatens to steal your peace, redirect your focus to the reason that you are studying and competing – for the glory of God. With the apostle Paul, you can say, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Remember that the Lord is the One who has given you the strength to make it thus far and is the One who will continue to uphold you. If you seek the wisdom and strength of God, He promises to give it.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” –James 1:5
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” -Psalm 121:1-2
Pray. Prayer is something that can be easily set to the side when our minds are focused on studying for the competition. But, when we set aside time to talk to our Maker, we can see His strength at work in our lives. Praying before our study time prepares our hearts for what the Lord wants to teach us through His Word. This act of prayer reminds us that we are dependent on Christ and cannot do this journey on our own. Through prayer and making our requests known before God, we will have a perfect peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
Reach out to the community. One reason that the Lord has given us each other in the kingdom of God is for our edification. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 11:24-25). The National Bible Bee community is wonderful for this! Many participants love to give support through study tips, practice tests, and words of encouragement. You are not alone in this journey – reach out to someone, and we will gladly run this race with you!
So, friends, keep “sowing to the Spirit”, don’t grow “weary in well-doing”, and press on for the glory of Christ!
Written by NBB Alumna: Rachel Sheppard
