“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 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. —1 Corinthians 15:55-58 NIV (emphasis mine)
There they were. Two quiches, crust browned to perfection—one broccoli and one ham—looking golden and perfect on the kitchen counter. I covered them lightly with a dish towel feeling immense satisfaction in a job well done. Our company would arrive in one short hour, joining us after church for lunch. I’d let my creations cool on the counter while we went to church and then reheat briefly for lunch. The salad was ready and waiting in the fridge and all was right in my little homemaker world.
I had not factored in two wily, always-hungry dogs who had very good sniffers and happened to think quiche sounded pretty terrific for a mid-morning snack while we were out and about. Yep. Attila, our Doberman-Shepherd, and Tank, our Chow-Shepherd, somehow manage to get their noses far enough up over that counter to nudge my perfections onto the floor. The lack of any crumbs left in the chipped pie dishes is a testimony to how delicious those quiches actually were.
Unsuspecting, we returned in high spirits after church with our company, only to feel pretty much as shattered as the pie dishes when we discovered two very full and satisfied canines and a horrific mess in the kitchen. Sigh. I had most definitely labored in vain.
Don’t you just hate that? You work super hard on something, and it all seems to have no point. Whether it’s a work assignment or a stolen quiche, the feeling is devastating. All That Trouble … and for what? (Attila and Tank would argue that feeding their sneaky selves was purpose enough, but I firmly disagree.)
Our verses for today are a great reassurance! First, because of Christ’s triumph over death and His promise of eternal life with new bodies that don’t decay—and more than we could ask or imagine in Heaven. Death has absolutely lost its power to terrify the Christian. We have victory in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!
Second, we also have reassurance about this broken world in which we currently reside. What we do here for the Lord will not be in vain. It won’t. It matters now, and it will matter in the world to come. Hear Paul’s words and take them to heart when you are tired of doing the right thing, secretly wishing to be a little selfish, and wondering if the little bit you do really matters anyway: “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.”
Heavenly Father, remind me when I forget that the smallest thing I do for You … a cup of cold water shared with someone who is thirsty … a casserole for a family enduring sickness … a donation to help those who are suffering … all my big and small labors of love … matter to You and are not done in vain. Thank You for this reassurance from Your Word, Lord. What I do in Your Name and to further Your kingdom and Your love in this world has purpose and value. No matter how seemingly insignificant. Help me to stand firm in that knowledge and to not tire of doing good. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, who showed us servanthood supremely well, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
Donate
If you’ve been blessed, keep the blessing going!
Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.
Share it. Pin it.
