Listen:
“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Reflect:
In 2016, I hiked rim-to-rim through the Grand Canyon. Our hike was 21.5 strenuous miles long, adding a side jaunt to Ribbon Falls for another 1.5 miles. We descended over 4,700 ft into the canyon floor, with temps reaching 120 degrees inside the canyon, before climbing 5,700 ft to the North side of the rim.
At first, the anticipation and beauty of the hike provided enough momentum to keep me going. But as the miles and minutes passed, things got harder. The terrain more difficult. The heat stifling. Fear and doubt creeping in. My eyes traveling ahead only to see a mountain of switch backs with no end in sight.
So many times, I wanted to tap out. I prayed a helicopter would rescue me or a mule would pack me out. But despite those wishes, I had an prompting in my spirit that told me to keep going. To put one foot in front of the other. To be steadfast and unwavering in my purpose of making it to the other side. God was equipping me with His steadfast endurance. He was teaching me to rely on Him and flooded me with reminders of His faithfulness in my life.
Oh, how this translates to every day living. We get tired. Broken-down. Defeated. From both the trials this life brings and the repetition of daily living. But Paul urges us to be steadfast and immovable in the work of Lord because this is not the end. Our victory in Jesus has already been won and as Paul states in Galatians 6:9 “at just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Prayer of Response:
Lord, help us to remain steadfast in the labor and service in which you have called us to. For it is not empty, it is not for nothing. You see our hearts, you see our work, and it is pleasing to You. Give us endurance to stay the course because the trials we face here on earth are not the end. It is because of Your resurrection that we can stand firm and practice kingdom living here and now, with anticipation of eternity with You.
Questions to Ponder:
- In what areas of your life do you grow weary? Where do you turn when you’re feeling tired and broken down?
- What practical ways can you put 1 Corinthians 15:58 into practice?
- How does this scripture help you to love, trust and worship Jesus more fully?
—Submitted by Trina Visscher
Trina and her husband Forrest live in Oregon with their two children. Trina is a stay-at-home mom to her son, Beau (4) and daughter, Lyla (2) and is involved in her local MOPS group and church community.