“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…” Colossians 3:23

Not for Naught

I don’t know about you, but I often find myself saying random sentences that make me stop and go, “Where did that come from??” Sometimes they’re so random that I wonder who my “writer” is! Today’s random sentence was, “Well, it was not for naught!” After my inward eye rolling at myself, I realized how often we think that the things we do are for naught, because we don’t get to see the end result of our actions.

This is a concept that I used to struggle with as a missionary. We would come back from trips, ready to share the cool God stories, but would be bombarded with questions, the first almost always being, “How many people got saved?” “Well, none, but let me tell you about–” But at hearing the word “none” they would already be checked out, deeming your trip a failure. *Sigh* I guess the trip was for naught, then.

I think of all the mamas I know with young children, who spend their days chasing after pint-sized tornadoes. At the end of their exhausting day when their little ones are in bed, I hear them lamenting the messy house, the non-organic meal, the fact that they are still in sweat pants. They feel as if their day was for naught. 

Fortunately, for missions, I learned the importance of service, relationship, and seed planting. Sure, it’s great if you get to lead someone to the Lord, but someone needs to do the groundwork first. People rarely get saved upon first hearing about Jesus. Usually there are many who have shared with them before they are ready to surrender to Him. In light of that knowledge, I’m fine with doing the “grunt” work!

Mamas: When your precious children are in their beds at night, pat yourself on the back. You made it through the day! Those children were fed! You got them to school. They’re bathed. You survived their tantrums! They know you LOVE them. Every hug, every story read, every little thing you do MATTERS. Not just the big things that the world may deem as being worthy. Never feel like what you’re doing is for naught! 

I recently discovered an article about a man named Dr. William Leslie, who went to minister in the Congo. He spent 17 years there before returning home, feeling like a complete failure, because he hadn’t made an impact. 84 years later, it was discovered that there is a network of churches there! His teaching them to read and write, study the Bible, etc., took root. Since he didn’t get to see it, he felt it was for naught. How sad!

Often we don’t get to see the fruit of our labors, but that doesn’t mean we should stop doing what the Lord has called us to. What we do for the Lord is not for naught!

“Father, please remove the thoughts that tell us what we’re doing doesn’t matter. May we keep our focus on Your calling, even when we don’t get to see the prize. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”