When It is All Too Much

Published: Aug. 27, 2021, midnight

b'Do you want to serve God with your life but have questions about what that looks like? If so, you may be encouraged to learn about Susanna Wesley. She never published books or held a formal leadership position, but her daily work inspired and guided those around her, contributed to the growth of two prominent spiritual leaders, and helped spur on an entire revival movement.\\nSusanna lived in England in the late 1600s. At age nineteen, she married a minister named Samuel Wesley. They had nineteen children, but nine of them died young. They also had very little money and many large debts, and their house burned down two different times. Despite these hardships, Susanna always worked hard to educate her sons and daughters. She wanted to ensure they would all know not only how to read and write but also how to love and serve the Lord. She wanted them to know the gospel\\u2014to rest in the knowledge of Jesus\\u2019 life, death, and resurrection, and to let that knowledge transform every area of their lives.\\nSusanna\\u2019s children studied for six hours a day from the age of five. Each night she took one of her children aside for private discussions to encourage their spiritual growth. In a letter to her husband, Susanna wrote, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I cannot but look upon every soul you leave under my charge as a talent committed to me under a trust.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d She saw the value in each of her children and devoted much time and energy to their upbringing. Susanna also took seriously her own relationship with God, setting aside time to read the Bible and pray \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153alone\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d with her kitchen apron over her head!\\nAs her children grew up, God worked in their lives in amazing ways. Her son John became a theologian and evangelist. Another son, Charles, wrote thousands of hymns. Churches still sing many of Charles\\u2019 hymns today, such as \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d and \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d John and Charles Wesley also led a revival movement.\\nIf you feel discouraged about your ability to serve God, remember Susanna Wesley. You can serve with whatever talents you have, wherever you are, right now! \\u2022 Andi Potter\\n\\u2022 List some things you love to do or are especially good at. How might you use these gifts to serve God and His people, today or in the future? \\n\\u2022 Who is someone in your daily life, such as a classmate, coworker, or family member, who you could encourage or pray for today? \\nAnd whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nMatthew 11:28-30'