Loyal Labor in Unprecedented Places

"Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord..." (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

It’s been another strange season for Rob and I. Rob is driving circles at a Catholic university and I’m an admin for an insurance company. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d find ourselves here in our forties. But here we are; hearts still full of strength and vigor for ministry, yet strangely stalled out in secular fields.

We’ve had many conversations about how and why we wound up here. Each discussion dissipates with more questions than answers, but the one we keep returning to is “How do we honor God from these coordinates?” We’ve trudged enough miles with the Master to live convinced: He wastes nothing. So how do we steward this particular stretch for His glory?

Today’s scripture reminds me; location changes but intent remains. God has work and purpose in a corporate office with insurance bokers and on a shuttle bus with college students. Will we remain committed to the work of the gospel in an unprecedented place? How do the the tenets of scripture hold up in the university and marketplace? Can we continue to live radically committed to Christ in the bullpen and bus barn?

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

There’s a promised tied into this text and it’s one to hold tightly. “Because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Knowing is different than feeling.

I suspect Jesus felt His earthly labors fell short when Judas betrayed Him and His disciples denied Him. I suspect His efforts felt futile as the lashes were laid across His back and the crowd crowed in approval. I suspect the enemy was incredibly loud and close with cries of victory as our Savior was pinned to the cross and breathed his last. But despite the onslaught of doubt; the Father’s work was accomplished through a surrendered human frame.

The Lord is still at work in our surrender and we do well to hold firmly to the cause even when we can’t see the why. He wastes nothing in the lives of His followers. How can we fully cooperate today?

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we confess." (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)

Lord, help us to live grateful of Your continued hand on our lives. May we be quick to respond to Your leading, eager to delight in You attention and agenda. Help us hold our plans and preferences loosely as we learn to give ourselves more fully to Your work in these circumstances. We couldn’t stand in the way of Your will, but we can gladly cooperate. Amen.