Exhausted or Empowered

I get tired. 
Bone weary, exhausted. 

I have been Martha the majority of my life. Stressing, worrying, and working too hard. Focusing on the things that seem so important in the moment, only to find they did not matter. Pretty much like a puppy chasing his tail, always frustrated in never reaching it. 

Dishes. Laundry. Bills. Work. Kids. Spouse. 
One day ends, another begins. 

Then I go to my Bible to read a verse that our church has been focusing on: 

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

I Corinthians 15:58 NLT 

At first this verse seems like so much work, terrific! Be strong and immovable, yikes!

Always work enthusiastically for the Lord…enthusiastically?

That sounds like it will take a lot of energy. Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. Wait, what? Never useless? Surely Paul has overstated this portion of the verse. 

Before we get too discouraged, let’s read what Paul shares in Ephesians. 

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT 

Poor Martha and her stress, it has made her a most memorable woman in the Bible. There has to be balance in life.

I want to be somewhere in between Martha and Mary, spending time at Jesus feet and doing the work that needs to be accomplished.

I recently had a conversation with a close friend who was chatting about how much they had been praying but they were not getting any answers. I asked them how much time they were spending in the Bible. 
 
I believe it takes time in prayer and in the Word to balance the Martha-Mary scenario, to live out I Corinthians 15:58. If we are only doing the work; trying to be strong and immovable, attempting to show intense and eager enjoyment in the work the Lord has for us - on our own, it will be tiring. 

But thank God! He has provided us with His Word, His Spirit, and His Son!

In relying on these things, taking time out, focusing here first, I Corinthians 15:58 will happen naturally. It doesn’t have to be difficult or seem like work. 
 
And yes, nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. Nothing. Often, the things that I thought I had messed up the most in life, I later learned impacted someone in a way that brought them closer to the Lord. 
 
So read I Corinthians 15:58 again. 

”So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Be encouraged.

Every single thing we need to fulfill this verse God has already freely given to us. I know that with spending time in the Word and in prayer, this verse is not what I have to do, it is what I am empowered to do.