Beautiful Word Devotional #40

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 15:58

Plunging ourselves headlong into the work of God can result in burnout. We can work so hard, pray so hard, serve so hard, and then, in the end, burn out so hard. That’s not what Paul was exhorting us to do!

The “work of the Lord” is to love, and love is manifest in countless ways. But there are many ways that no one except the Lord himself sees. Perhaps you anonymously gave money to a friend in need. Or you prayed for a suffering neighbor who had no idea you were doing so. Or you wrote letters to inmates. God sees all of this.

Such work is not in vain. As you reach out with God’s love, he may use you to bring that person to a saving knowledge of him. With God’s blessing, your work will have eternal results.

Lord, I’m weary. Please help me remember that the work I do for you and for others in your name is not in vain but will have eternal results, amen.