Let's see, did I forget something...oh, yeah, I certainly did. What about all those projects at church? You know what I'm talking about...making sure the boiler is going to work this year, getting the gym set up and decorated for Homecoming, planning out the events for advent, ordering the gift baskets for the shut-ins, beginning rehearsal for the choir Christmas musical, and so much more!

As you can tell there is much to do and little time in which to get it all done. I am confident that come July 1, 2017 it will all be done and forgotten. So, it causes me to pause and ponder, "Is it all really worth it?" Does all our labor count for anything? Or are we like mice running on the proverbial wheel getting a lot of exercise, but really going nowhere? I think the answer to those questions and ones similar to them depend on our motivation--WHY am I doing what I'm doing? We can get super busy about events and we can expend great energy in getting things done, but if we are doing all this for the wrong reasons then it all amounts to dust and ashes (Paul called them wood, hay and straw [1 Corinthians 3:10-15]).

However, if we are expending energy to glorify God through worship that is God-exalting, discipleship that is cross-centered, fellowship that is grace-focused, and outreach that is world-impacting then I believe our work is what God intends it to be. So, as we go about our busy schedule keep in mind that nothing done for the glory of God is worthless, but efforts done for our own exaltation has no more substance than a soap bubble. And put in your heart what Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers:

...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)

Grace & Peace,

Scott