Why do some people appear to be ineffective in spite of their best effort? (see earlier post)

First, we need to be reminded that we don’t see the whole picture from this side of eternity. Sometimes we may feel ineffective or see someone else as being ineffective, but this may be exactly where God wants us to be at the time. The apostles’ straining to cross the Sea of Galilee and the children of Israel backed up against the Red Sea are good examples of situations where faithful people were not making any apparent progress–but they were learning to trust God.

At other times, ineffectiveness is the result of others’ lack of faith. Isaiah was told to preach even though no one would listen to his message. Jeremiah could not get people to follow him even when he was giving them direct revelation from God. Jesus even lamented that He was not able to accomplish what He wanted to do in Nazareth because of the unbelief of the people.

Sometimes the idle times are for preparation. Elijah went through dark days between great victories. Moses spent 40 years on the back side of the desert. Both men went on to achieve their life’s work.

We see from Scripture that in some occasions idling is unavoidable and at times even necessary and beneficial. There are times when one is just being faithful and obedient to God’s direction. He may be sowing seeds he never gets to harvest. It will still be a fruitful field in God’s time.  So be faithful, the laborer is worthy of his reward.