Have you ever felt like the "fifth wheel" on the vehicle of kingdom living? I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel that I am not much of a contribution to the Lord's work where I am at in life. Here I am, going to work a couple days a week, spending a lot of time studying for college, attending church functions, and spending time with my family. Why can't I be somewhere rebuilding homes demolished by a hurricane, or counseling people who are hurting, or spending time with insecure and wounded children? Can the things I am doing right now really be called "kingdom works"?
Recently I was feeling a bit like the description in the previous paragraph. I was tempted to think, "What am I accomplishing in my spiritual life?" Then, last Sunday evening, one of my brothers at church shared a verse that spoke volumes to me. It was I Corinthians 15:58 which says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (emphasis added)
I was thinking about that verse tonight, and it just blessed me tremendously. It doesn't matter if I'm still at home with my parents and family, taking part in church and youth functions, and working at a job. As a Christian, my labor is not in vain in the Lord. That is, all the work that I do or have ever done for Him was not wasted.
I would insert a word of caution, however. Do not use this verse to excuse living a Biblical lifestyle. Notice the one part of the verse that says, "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." This insinuates that the person this verse is talking about is already living a yielded Christian life.
So, if you feel that your life as a Christian is not a profitable one, take courage! You may not feel like the most successful servant of the Lord, or even the most profitable or useful. It doesn't matter! Your work as a Christian is not in vain! You may not be an evangelist. You may not lead a million souls to Christ during your life. Does that mean that you should not strive for these things? Absolutely not! It is important to seek to accomplish great things for God; however, our definition of great things may not always be the same as God's definition. In Matthew 10:42, He promises a reward to those who give only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple. Therefore, our works for God can range from preaching to a million souls to simply giving a glass of water in Jesus' name.
So, my fellow Christian, if you feel that you are an insignificant and useless part of God's kingdom, do not be discouraged. Instead, persevere in the Lord's work and the Christian life, because your labor is not in vain.
