Living Above Ministries: I thought I would see more by now

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I thought I would see more by now

Do you ever feel like you work and work towards a worthy goal to no avail? That no matter how hard you try, no matter how much passion you exude, no one really notices your efforts? And that at some point you just need to cut your losses and move on to something else?

We've all been at this place! Whether it was in trying to make a good relationship better, responding to a specific assignment in ministry, or just "training up your children in the way that they should go" - we all get to a point where we feel like it's just not working!

We wonder if perhaps we're even doing it right! We know we're supposed to be doing this task, and yet, the lack of results makes us doubt not only our methods, but if victory is even an option.

I read something this morning that gave me tremendous hope! I hope it gives you that same energy boost that it gave me.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain.

As soon as I read this verse, I stopped and opened my journal. I wrote the following:

My instructions:

1. Be steadfast - both focused on the tasks the Lord has given me & in my love for those He's put in my path

2. Be immovable - meaning don't be so flighty, be firm where He has planted me in this season of my life. Be committed to His way and not my own.

3. Abound in the work of the Lord. Be passionate about my assignment - no matter what the results look like - give my all to Him, overflow in my work!

No where in these instructions does it say when to give up! No where in these instructions does it give stipulations for low results. It only says what I'm to do - totally disconnected from the appearance of victory! So what helps keep me going? How can I be positive if the outcome does not "look" positive?

After evaluating all of this I wrote:

Truth & Hope:

in the Lord... my labor is not in vain!

The bottom line: The Lord is the One in charge - He is in control of the results - I am only to follow instructions - be steadfast, be immovable and abound in the work of the Lord.

My friends... the hope of victory is clear - you will not work in vain if you are working in the Lord's strength and doing what He says to do! It may not always be glamorous (potty training), it may not pay a lot, if anything (helping those in need), the hours may be long and the location may seem far from where you thought you would be - but find energy and hope - that...

in the Lord our labor is not in vain.