Is It Worth It? The Harvest You Can’t See Yet

Last night, Katelyn and I hosted the community group we’re a part of. We normally meet at the Vogrins’ house, but since they are out of town for a couple of weeks, we volunteered to host.

Wednesdays are already busy for our family. Sam has practice right after school, which means multiple trips to pick up kids. Our kids are involved at church on Wednesday nights, so we’re rushing to feed everyone and get them out the door before 6:00 (it's like herding cats that talk back, lol).

When we host, there’s even more to do. We clean the house, prepare food, and study the lesson. Then, as soon as 8:00 hits, we run to the church to pick up the kids, get them home, take showers, say prayers, and somehow make it to bedtime, which is always an adventure. When the night ends, you take a big sigh of relief.

In the middle of all that last night, a thought crossed my mind:

Is it worth it?

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt the same way, but leading in ministry, especially leading a community group, can sometimes be discouraging.

You put in the work to prepare, only to have someone cancel at the last minute, and they were supposed to bring the main course. The kids playing in your house during group might break a priceless family heirloom. The lesson may not go the way you planned. Some nights, it can feel like everything is working against you.

Is it worth it?

That question crossed my mind last night, but the answer came later.

Our group was sitting together, watching the second video in the Belong curriculum. I listened as people vulnerably shared about past experiences with churches that had wounded them. Others talked about how they had struggled for years to feel like they truly belonged, but were beginning to experience something different.

As I listened, I thought to myself:

It’s worth it.

Galatians 6:9-10 came to mind:

Galatians 6:9–10

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”

Paul encourages the believers in Galatia not to give up, even when doing good becomes difficult or it feels like the deck is stacked against them. He gives them a promise: if they keep planting, keep tending, and keep watering, a harvest will come at the proper time.

I’m sending this as an encouragement to you.

I know leading a group is not for the faint of heart. But I feel like the Lord wants me to encourage you:

Don’t give up.

You are doing good work, whether it feels like it right now or not. Keep going. Keep showing up. Keep making room.

Someone is counting on your group to help them finally experience belonging. Someone’s marriage may be on the brink of collapse, and they are looking for an older, wiser couple who will walk with them. Someone else is taking their first steps of faith, and they need you to help them take the next one.

You may not always see the harvest while you’re cleaning the house, preparing the food, studying the lesson, or trying to get people to respond to your GroupMe message. But seeds are being planted. Relationships are being formed. People are being known, loved, and pointed toward Jesus.

Don’t give up.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely.

I’m praying for you and cheering you on!

Nathan

P.S. On a practical note, please remember to take attendance each time your group meets. If your group does not meet, please mark the event as canceled. Attendance is not meant to be a burden or a scorecard. It helps us care for people, recognize patterns, and understand where our groups may need support. If you aren’t receiving the attendance emails, let me know, and I’ll get that fixed.