Your Labor is not in Vain

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

It’s been a wet summer in these parts with almost every day bringing some amount of rain, and for that we have been most thankful considering much of the country has been threatened with wildfires. One evening after a rain shower, I roamed around our neighboring field with my camera just as the sun began to set on the western horizon. After I photographed the field’s beauty in low golden light, I strolled along our driveway which was lined with a hedgerow, its greenery now shrouded in the shadows of dusk. It was too dark to capture anything with my camera here so I quickened my steps and set for home, but that voice of reason in my head said pay attention. So I did. Amongst the dark green shapes and textures of bushes and grass, I noticed drops of rain capturing the last of the day’s light as they collected on leaves ready for nighttime rest. These tiny drops of light led my eye to one, yes, just one, pure white blossom of a perfectly formed, delicate flower also dabbled with drops of glistening rain.

One flower amongst a bunch of low-lying green grass and shrubs hidden beneath towering maple trees, along the edge of my long driveway where no one ever ventures. One perfectly formed delicate work of art sat in quiet and contented solitude as it sparkled in the twilight. In its short blossoming life, I was likely the only person who noticed and appreciated it, yet the flower humbly bloomed. Why?

Because that is what it was created to do.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass of the field……” Matthew 6:28-29

This single lily in my yard was not concerned about how many people saw its beauty and appreciated it. It didn’t wither and hang low in self pity because no one noticed it. Its significance was not measured by who or how many knew it was there and considered its value. This flower wasn’t seeking to please any passersby nor did it tire of doing its ordinary work of blooming. It was simply doing what it ought to be doing – yielding its fruit in season for the glory of God who designed it so perfectly. And when I saw it, I gave God that glory as I thanked Him for this perfect, fragile flower that He graciously allowed me to see and enjoy.

It got me thinking, Why do we fret so? We fret about this and about that, wondering if this ordinary task we’re doing — mopping floors, wiping dirty children’s faces, singing lullabies to crying babies, cooking supper, going to ordinary jobs day in and day out — is important enough to count for something worthy in eternity. Because who really sees it anyway? We fallen creatures must be prone to this desire to feel significant, a need to be important, valued — this multi-layered cloak of unbelief that is deeply rooted in pride — because Scripture addresses it frequently. Jesus speaks to this in Matthew Chs. 5-7; Paul addresses it in at least three of his letters (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13; 1 Cor. 15:58); and creation abounds with examples to demonstrate the biblical teaching that is opposite our natural bent (Job 38-41).

Significance is what Adam and Eve were grasping for in the garden when Satan came along with a tempting whisper to stir discontent, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” Genesis 3:5  We live in the shadow of the grave consequences of the fall, yet we continue to strive just as they did for significance and believe the lie there’s more and better waiting for you, if…..

Do you feel it? This desire to be recognized, acknowledged, valued? Do you feel the angst of wondering if these ordinary things we do day in and day out will ever make a difference in someone’s life for eternity?  I do. I fight against it every day. This little white flower along my driveway, one lone blossom glistening at twilight, reminded me that this attitude that lurks within is real but inaccurate and unbiblical. This little flower shining its light in the darkness caused me to look up and see rightly — through the eyes of Scripture.  

When Jesus says, don’t do what you do to be seen in order to receive the praise of men, but do these works for the Father who sees in secret, not once,

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  Matthew 6:3-4

not twice,

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  Matthew 6:6

but three times,

“But when you fast……..that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  Matthew 6:17-18

we ought to be greatly encouraged in the day to day ordinariness of our labors. 

Think about how many stars and galaxies are unseen by the human eye even in this day of super telescopes and space exploration, yet God calls each one out by name (Isaiah 40:26). Think about how many creatively designed masterpieces swim beneath the seas unseen by anyone, yet seen and enjoyed by God. Ponder how many plants and trees blossom and bear fruit that are beyond human reach in untouched wildernesses, yet God arrays each one for its appointed purpose. Who sees the single flower which blooms beneath towering maple trees along a quiet unused edge of a rural driveway in a nowhere province of Canada? God does. And that is all that matters. 

Be encouraged, dear servant of the Lord. Think upon this little white flower and remember God’s care for and delight in you. He sees. He knows. Your reward is later, in heaven, where it matters most.

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“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9