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I Corinthians 15: 58 Therefore, my dear brothers,
stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of
the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (NIV)
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God doesn’t ask us to be successful, only faithful.* |
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What
situations might tempt us to believe that our labor for the Lord is in vain? Not enough money or
appreciation? Being received with hostility or indifference? Not producing
fruit at all? Any of these conditions could lead to discouragement. But Paul
admonishes us to always give
ourselves fully to the work of the Lord – he doesn’t make concessions for
extenuating circumstances. He doesn’t allow that we should consider giving up
just because no one seems to be responding to the gospel. He reminds us of what
we should already know: our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Ever.
I heard a comedian relate his experience with riding out a
tornado in a houseboat. It was a dramatic and well-told tale but it was only his ending remark that I remember clearly. “It would
have been more fun,” he said, “if I had known I was going to live through it.”
We Christians have a clear advantage over this comedian. No matter how we get
tossed about in life, we know that we have a happy ending to look forward to.
So stand firm. Continue to serve where God has called you no
matter how futile your efforts may seem. Let nothing move you - except the
Spirit of the Lord. And you will live happily ever after. Forever.
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We are called to
persevere, anticipating the day we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful
servant.” But in the meantime, wouldn’t it be nice to get an encouraging
interim report?*
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