S155P4 – Certainty in an uncertain world: the Lord’s work breeds success
2 Cor. 15:5458
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Every athlete who participates in an individual sport has the same goal: to be the best. Whether the ultimate goal is speed or distance or a number of ranking points, it is all the same. The individual athlete wants to be on top either just for now or for all time. The problem is that most of them will not make it there. It is not even a matter of who works the hardest or sacrifices the most. One cannot know whether the investment will be enough until the competition ends. To some, performance comes more naturally. To others, maximum effort just cannot produce that desired result. The toiling and sacrifice can be considered no more than a gamble. That is the cruel reality of sport.
Some people devote their entire lives to a sport or a professional endeavor or an educational achievement only to come up short in the end. The death of the writer might come before that greatest book is completed. The researcher working to cure the incurable disease just might not have enough time to find the answer. We take on our work knowing that life is fragile and that our work might never be completed. That is the reality of this natural world, but the reality of the spiritual world is different. The work we do for the Lord and his kingdom will be completed. The labor we contribute will result in something of worth. By definition, this means that our spiritual work is worthwhile.
I have taken many risks and tried many things in the hopes that they would work out. You likely have done the same. Some of these ventures not only work out but take us to places well beyond our expectations. Other projects seem to be over before they even begin, leaving us disappointed and empty handed. The natural world is relentlessly ungracious. When laboring for God, what we do in accordance with his will is guaranteed to bear fruit. No effort is wasted; there is no risk. God is the only one who can guarantee results every time, and we will see the harvest of that fruit one day. Father, thank You for assuring us that the work we do for You indeed will bring the result that You intend.