“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable,
always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed],
being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord
is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose]” 1 Corinthians 15.58 AMP.

Are you tempted to view your work as a waste? A waste of your time, education level or skill set?

As a Mom, much of my days are spent doing routine, daily tasks. Today, for example, was a day for cleaning. I spent a good chunk of my day scrubbing, wiping, and vacuuming. This type of work is unseen, sometimes unnoticed, and (the real kicker) impermanent. The things I did today will need to be done again next week.

Is my work a waste?

1 Corinthians 15:58 talks about work that isn’t a waste. What sort of work isn’t wasted? “Your labor in the Lord is not futile or wasted.” This phrase is also translated “in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58 ESV).

Those three words, “in the Lord”, are important. This is the work I do for the Lord and in his strength. When I obey God and do the things he’s called me to do, that work is not a waste. In this season of my life, God has called me to respect my husband, love my children, be a good steward of the things he’s given me (thus my cleaning this morning), be a light to those around me, and serve my church. All of this labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Don’t call it a waste when God calls it good.

I am fully capable of looking with disdain at the work God has called me to do. I look at the unseen, impermanent work around me and grumble that it’s a waste of my time. I look at the people who need to be loved to Jesus and complain that my attempts aren’t making a difference, so WHY EVEN TRY.

And yet, God says my work is not a waste. More than that, he calls me to be faithful in these tasks (1 Cor. 4:2), to work with all my might (Ecc. 9:10), and to serve with gladness (Psalm 100:2).

Don’t look at the work God has called you to do and call it a waste. Instead, “be constantly aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] (I see you, Mama, with the midnight feedings!) in the Lord is not futile or wasted.” God is using your work (even the most unglamorous, monotonous tasks) to make you more like Jesus and to bring glory to his name! Don’t call it a waste when God calls it good.