The Ministry TableSample

Stay in the Game

Ever been in the fourth quarter of a game? You’re tired. You’re sweaty. You’re wondering if you’ve got anything left.

That was me in football. The fourth quarter always felt longer than the first three combined. My legs burned. My lungs ached. And part of me just wanted the clock to run out.

Ministry can feel like that. Life can feel like that. You’re doing good things. You’re helping people. You’re serving. You’re praying. But sometimes… It's exhausting. And here’s the reality: you don’t always see the results.

Galatians 6:9 says don’t get tired of doing good, because at the right time, there’s going to be a harvest, if you don’t quit.

Notice it doesn’t say you won’t get tired. It says don’t quit when you do. God knows you’re going to have moments when you’re worn out. He knows there will be days when you wonder if it’s worth it.

But here’s the truth—you have no idea how close you are to seeing the miracle. You don’t know what God is building behind the scenes. That conversation you had last week? It might change someone’s eternity. That act of kindness you thought no one noticed? God noticed.

The fourth quarter is where the stories get written. It’s where you dig deep. It’s where you realize this isn’t about your strength, it’s about His faithfulness.

So don’t tap out. Don’t give in to the voice that says, “It doesn’t matter.” Stay in the game. Keep showing up. Keep doing good.

Because when the harvest comes, and it will, you’ll be glad you didn’t walk away.

Pastor Joe Valenzuela
Executive Pastor at Active Church
Yucaipa, CA
https://www.activechurches.com/