For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 1 Thessalonians 2:1
There are times when someone has to do something that appears to be in vain. There does not appear to be any purpose for the action or that it just falls flat and does not accomplish the desired outcome. People feel that all of their time and effort were wasted and of no value. Once this occurs, many will quit doing things unless they know that there is a good purpose for it in sight.
Paul tells the Thessalonian church that when he, and those with him, came to them it was not in vain. Everyone needs purpose in doing something. It gives a person energy and strength to push through hard times when there is meaning to what is required to be done. No one wants to waste their time and efforts.
The real challenge is coming to an understanding of what the value in doing something really is. Sometimes the value can be seen immediately and clearly, but often the value is more vague or extreme long term.
Believers will often run into this challenge when they are doing the work God has called them to do. Sometimes, on the surface it can appear as a waste of time. There does not appear to be any success. While other times the ministry explodes, and lives are visibly changed for God.
Regardless of what happens, believers are to move forward with the work God has called them to do. They have to trust in God’s leading and leave the results up to Him. None of the work God calls one to do is in vain, though it may look in vain in the eyes of the world. Seeds will be planted or watered, and at the right time will grow.
There will be things that you must do that feel like that they are in vain and of no real value. God has called you to do a work in this world at building a part of His kingdom. It may not look as successful as that of another believer, but know that all the work God has you doing is not in vain. Trust God with the results. Sometimes it will be immediate results, as with Paul, while other times you may not see the results for many years, if at all.
Trust God and do His work, it is not in vain.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the work God has called you to do; that you will know God’s work is never in vain; that God will reveal the value of your work; and that God will build His kingdom in and through you.
Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash
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