Is It All in Vain?
Last week, we were in a couple of meetings in Ohio. While there, we decided to drive the extra hour into Kentucky and visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. If you’ve never been to either of them, I highly encourage you to go. You won’t be sorry. Just plan a full day for each one and wear your walking shoes. And if it’s a sunny day and you have fair skin, you may want some sunscreen. (Trust me, I know.)
Both attractions were highly educational and exciting, but I have to say the Ark Encounter was my favorite. There was something remarkable about staring up at that ginormous boat and thinking, How did one man and his three sons build this thing? Seriously, it will take your breath away. Oh, and standing inside the ark and looking up to the “ceiling,” just WOW!
After visiting the exhibits and getting a better glimpse of what took place in Noah’s life, I found myself wondering how many times Noah wanted to quit. God called him to a task that not only seemed impossible, but it also seemed ridiculous. A flood? Water falling from the sky? Gather up all the animals and place them in this boat? You have to admit, it sounds wacky!
But Noah had faith and obeyed without question. But then what? Day after day, year after year, he and his sons worked on this boat. And all the while, the people laughed them to scorn. Surely, Noah had moments where he felt he was wasting his time. Was there a day (or several) where Noah stared at the hammer in his hand and thought, This is all in vain?
If so, I know how he feels. I’m sure you do too. I think everyone, at some time in their life, has looked around at the work they’re doing and wondered if it was all in vain. Is it doing any good to be good? Has there been any impact from the time you spent witnessing to your family? Does your climb to the top resemble the child’s game, Chutes and Ladders? Has the time you’ve spent in God’s Word helped you keep your emotions in check? Is the diet yielding any results? Is serving God worth the work and the ridicule?
I admit, sometimes I’m not so sure. Some days I get so tangled up in my feelings, I can’t tell up from down. Thankfully, when I don’t have the answers, God’s Word does. Is your work in vain? Did Noah waste his time in building the ark? Does any good come from living a righteous life? Let’s see what God has to say about it.
“And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”
Wow! God confirms that our work is not in vain, but He also reminds us that it is our life, our duty, and our calling. While it may seem like the wicked are prospering, we have God’s promise it won’t always be that way. Sure, it may seem like our efforts aren’t paying off, but God assures us there will be a payday someday. He encourages us not to give up. He strengthens us for the journey, and He reminds us that we’re not fighting this battle alone.
Did Noah ever want to quit? Probably. But if he had, none of us would be here. Aren’t you glad he didn’t give in to Satan’s lies that his efforts were in vain? Now, just think. Who will be impacted if you give up the fight? Not only is God’s calling “your life,” but the lives of others likely depend on you staying in the battle. Don’t give up, my friend. Your work is not in vain in the Lord.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”