Sometimes when I am in a group and serving others, I will do some little thing and someone will come right behind me and change it or do it again. When this happens, I feel like my efforts were in vain, that I didn’t really accomplish anything, and that I have been disrespected. Sometimes, no matter how well we do something, it will feel like we did it in vain, not really accomplishing anything.
I Corinthians 15:58 says, “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.” The only way to make sure that your life and efforts are not useless is to be steadfast in trust, immovable in faith and truth and love, and abounding in doing all God leads you to do. Faith, truth, and love will unfailingly accomplish good when paired with following God’s power. Left to our own devices we really do not achieve lasting benefits. But with humility and dependence upon the Lord our efforts will achieve everlasting benefits.
Reluctant Retiree 