既然如此,當你的事奉不為人注意,或被視為理所當然時,不要氣餒,繼續事奉神!「你們務要堅固,不可動搖,常常竭力多做主工,因為知道你們的勞苦,在主裏面不是徒然的。」
I really feel this section hit the spot for me. This is what I struggle with and not so much the previous chapters. I sometimes get comments from friends saying that I don’t do anything but stay in my room and watch TV or get online. They wonder why I get tired. First of all, I don't watch TV. Secondly, just because I don't share what I do, doesn't mean I don’t do anything. Sometimes I get frustrated because people who are supposed to be my friends don't really know me and accuse me of being someone I'm not. So I began to think, who am I to give counseling and advice? I am in no position, have no authority, and under no obligation to do these things. I'm not trained to do so, I'm not paid to do so, I give up sleep and entertainment and reading time to talk to people who came to me. Maybe I should just stop, get my sleep and reading done, since that's what people think of me anyway.
I do try to send people to pastors, counselors and elders at church. I'm not trying to play professional; I just want the people to feel comfortable and help them find the right resources. I really don't mind doing the work; seriously it's nothing compared to what others do. It's when people say I don't do anything that gets to me.