Always Worthwhile

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

IN WORD

High in the Andes Mountains, a plant known as the puya raimondii—or the Queen of the Andes—grows to more than 30 feet and can live well over 100 years. But the plant flowers only once, and even then only at the end of its life. At some point between 80 to 150 years of age in the wild, its massive spikes flower into a glorious display, and then the plant dies. In other words, it takes a really long time for anyone to see its stunning beauty.

Some investments are like that. They show little or no growth for years, only to offer unexpected returns at an opportune time. That isn’t always the case in the Kingdom of God; sometimes our investments of time, talent, and resources bear visible fruit quickly. But often they don’t. As with slow-flowering plants or slow-growth investments, only patient endurance allows us to see the end and reap the reward.

Because this is a common dynamic in the Kingdom, we need to be extremely patient and persistent in our eternal investments. Our prayers may not show many results for a while, but they are still accomplishing much. Our work may not seem productive at the moment, but it will nevertheless produce much. Our attitudes may not seem to rub off on those around us, but they eventually will. Our love may not appear to make a difference, but as an expression of God’s heart, it certainly will. In itself, time is not a significant variable in determining the value of a Kingdom investment.

IN DEED

Kingdom citizens must be tenacious. We must be willing to hang on to a promise for decades, pray over a problem with persistence, and keep sowing seeds of God’s purposes and resources whether we see results or not, knowing they will eventually bear fruit. After all, they are His seeds, and He is the source of life. How could they not? Everything He touches will eventually flourish, including us.

ADDITIONAL READING: Galatians 6:7-10

There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing to the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.

FRANCIS DRAKE