Two things come to mind when I think of the title of this entry. The first is a familiar song by the Clark Sisters “Is My Living in Vain?” A song that lets it be known that what we do for the kingdom of God is worth the risk and the faith we exercise. The second; this holiday weekend. Labor Day is an annual celebration of the strength and endurance of workers in this country. These two coincide with one another in the sense of making sacrifices, doing something continuous that can be tiresome, and yes; even frustrations that come with labor (women that are mothers can attest to “frustrations in labor lol”). Frustrations, especially if it’s something that you feel can’t do or you do it and don’t get recognition. But here’s a thought, are you doing for the accolades or because you are being obedient to God?
We have heard the following: Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When we hear it, we get all excited. But my question is, if we are to believe that He knows the plans for us, then why do we get all upset when things occur? We said that we believe that Christ died for us. We claim that we believe He got with all power. We say that we are children of God? But all this we say; is it just pretty clichés to us? Does it convict on us on any level?
It is a challenge to loose a job or your home, become impatient on completing an assignment or paying off a bill and so forth. But what of these things? Tangible items that you were not born with, that can’t go to heaven with you, items that could indirectly or directly lead you to hell; that is if you worship them. But these things are only “things”. They can assist you as you maneuver through life, but they are not the intangible; love, joy, peace. The real assets. A peace of mind is worth wayyyy more than the national debt. Could it be that trials in general come because God wants to get your attention? Could He be saying, “Why are you so wrapped in the trivial? This is the true task that you are to do. Now will accept the invitation?”
Many of us would say we can’t because of a track record. So what you messed up in the past??? Don’t you serve a God that can take something that is messed up and make something wonderful out of it? Or we start on what God wants us to do and get weary because of this, that, and the third. It’s especially difficult when you make an effort to follow God and others see that and try to discourage you. But as the song said, “NO OF COURSE NOT… IT’S NOT ALL IN VAIN. CAUSE UP THE ROAD, IS ETERNAL GAIN.” (Minus Karen Clark-Sheard’s run of that note LOL…).
But I say this to you, with all that will be going on this holiday weekend, stop and think about the significance of the holiday. Many that we will never know made so many sacrifices so that we can live a better life. Do you think Moses, Esther, Jonah, Joshua, Abraham, Christ and many more were eager to go forth with God’s work? Well maybe Christ lol, but the point I make is, I’m sure many were discouraged and got weary, but because of love relationship with God, they understood that they had to be obedient. They knew the voice of God and understood that He would give them the provisions to follow through His commands. More so, they did His Will, because they Love Him. If you Love God then know that what you do and who you are is NOT in vain.
THOUGHT: In Genesis 1:26-31, it says the following:
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
What’s the take away? God created man in His Own Image… God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. God created you and saw that you were good. He created you for greatness in everyway. Now isn’t that reason to be excited. When God looks at us, He doesn’t say, “Oh you are disgusting to me.” (Well, unless He has to call you out like He did in Revelation 3:15-17 (Message Bible)… but hopefully you haven’t got on those terms with God lol.) But, He looks at us with Perfect Love. His Labor in creating us was NOT in vain and therefore; who YOU ARE; IS NOT IN VAIN. But rather what you deposit on this earth; if it is God’s work, it will lead to the road of ETERNAL GAIN. He’s standing with open arms saying, “My Child. The invitation has been sent. Will you accept or deny?”
THINK ABOUT IT… Happy Labor Day Weekend.
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