Labor in Vain

 Hello Dear Ones!

Have you ever felt exhausted and exasperated with a situation, feeling like you are working so very, very hard but the harder you work—the faster you go—the “be hinder you get?” Or the worse the situation gets? I think all of us have felt this way at one time or another. And truly—we were probably trying our best to do a good thing. To do the “right” thing even. And yet, sometimes it appears that nothing is working. Nothing is turning out. 

This week’s verse reminds me of situations like this. Times when we have put in all our effort—but perhaps that is the very problem. It was all OUR effort, but were we really working in the direction that God had wanted us to be working? Or perhaps we were—perhaps we were doing exactly what God was wanting us to do—but others involved in the situation were not themselves being receptive to the Holy Spirit. Maybe we were doing what God asked us to do—but it still did not seem to turn out. Or at least—it did not turn out the way that WE wanted. But were you laboring with what God asked you to do? Then you were doing the right thing. 

Sometimes we need to be more diligent. To work harder and longer and better. But other times we need to do the opposite. To let go of a situation and leave it in God’s very capable hands. To know in our hearts that He is working on hearts and changing situations of which we know nothing. Things that we do not yet see. Sometimes—we need to rest and let go of a situation.

How will we know which we are to do? Work harder, or let go? Ask. Pray, pray, and pray some more. He will never fail to answer a sincere prayer for guidance. He loves you so much that He sent Jesus to this dark earth to rescue you.

Remember that your Father deeply loves you.

Until next time, 

Friend