Your Labor is Not in Vain…
05.07.23
Admittedly, with our ability to see everything that is happening in the world around us, it can become very easy to get discouraged, even to the point of questioning whether our efforts to serve is even making a difference. I think part of it has to do with how broad our perspective of the world has become. If we help one person, we feel we should have helped ten. If we help ten, why couldn’t we help one hundred, and on it goes. Sure, we should always remember that there is still work to be done, but we need to protect ourselves from missing out on the joy of all that God is doing in our midst.
To do this, as our perspective of the world grows, we need to also expand our perspective of the Body of Christ. Our role of living in Christ does not mean that we individually carry the weight of His entire mission. Our call is to embody the love of God wherever we are with whoever is with us.
This is the way that seeds of righteousness are sown around the world, through the collective acts of the Church. This is how we shield ourselves from the crushing weight of all that is wrong in this world; by rejoicing in the opportunities to love and celebrating each of the fruits of our collective labor.
This is why Mother Teresa believed that the fundamental principle of teaching Jesus was humbly serving others, not always in grand ways, but in the simplest acts of love. Her mission, which started with thirteen members, had grown to thousands of members, managing orphanages, hospitals, and charity centers world-wide. Despite the vast reach of her efforts, when asked about the most effective way to promote world peace, she said, “go home and love your family.” Here are a couple other powerful quotes from Teresa on how we are to view the impact of our love.
“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.”
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
The reason we can have faith that even our smallest acts of love can grow into the redemptive righteousness of God is because we are not the gardener, God is. Here is what Paul says, “… neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building… 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:7-9,16.
As we continue to explore the ways that we can embody the mission of Jesus, let’s always remember that with Christ, we never labor in vain. Let’s hold to a posture of thanksgiving to God, knowing that as we love, God is always at work in our lives. Here is a powerful hymn that I hope reminds us of this truth.
“Your labor is not in vain. Though the ground underneath you is cursed and stained.
Your planting and reaping are never the same. Your labor is not in vain.
Your labor is not unknown. Though the rocks they cry out and the sea it may groan.
The place of your toil may not seem like a home. But Your labor is not unknown.
The vineyards you plant will bear fruit. The fields will sing out and rejoice with the truth.
For all that is old will at last be made new. The vineyards you plant will bear fruit.
I am with you. For I have called you, called you by name. Your labor is not in vain.”