1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

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When we try to follow Jesus and when we try to serve him or others, there will opposition and disappointments.  There are opposite spiritual forces at work opposing God’s plans for the world.  They are constantly working to discourage us and to convince us to give up following God or helping others.

The Apostle Paul faced discouragements and obstacles.  There are people who he helped who no longer follow God.  There are those who abandoned him when things got dicey.  There are those who use to be his friends but now speak out against him.  It’s rough being a Christian and trying to serve God and His people!

I don’t think I’ve experience a fraction of what Paul gone through, but I’ve had my share of disappointments.  There have been teenagers I’ve invested a lot of my life with who no longer want anything to do with God.  There are still a lot of people, even Christians, who don’t understand what Harvesters or AYL is about and have gross misconceptions about these two ministries that I’ve poured my life into.  It can be discouraging.

But here, the Apostle Paul reminds us that ultimately we have an audience of one.  The only person whose opinions that matter is God’s.  And God sees what you do.  And God sees what I do.  He sees the trials.  He sees the opposition.  He sees our wounds from our service.  And our service to Him pleases Him and that should be enough for us to keep going.  Our work is not in vain because God sees it.

Have you been discouraged by something God is asking you to do?  Have you been discouraged in a ministry that God has asked you to serve in?  Stand firm.  Remember, your labor in the Lord is not in vain!