Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of
the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Perhaps we can learn the whole point from a nineteen-year-old who works very, very hard. His
name is Michael Chang. Two years ago at age seventeen he stunned the tennis world by
becoming the youngest player ever to win the French Open. His endorsements alone exceed
one million dollars annually. He looks forward to career winnings that will run into many millions
more. But Chang is driven by something much bigger than fame or fortune. Michael Chang is
driven by his faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ.
For what are you working? For whom are you working? May it be for Jesus our Lord and
Savior.
(1 Corinthians 15.58
NRSV)
There are all kinds of motivations for working. Still, they all fall short of Jesus' standards. "Do
not labor for the food which perishes," he says, "but for the food which endures for eternal
life...." There are people who are sweating blood, working their hearts out, driving themselves
to early graves, who will one day have nothing to show for their labors. They will leave this
world just as empty handed as they came into it. There will be not a single mark on their
canvas, because everything they work for is perishable. They have missed the whole point of
living. And what is the whole point?
God of work, may my work be for you and your glory. Amen.
