September- A Letter From Pastor Jim

September is the month we celebrate Labor Day. We celebrate the usefulness of labor, the benefits and rewards of labor, the personal satisfaction of jobs well done.

The apostle Paul writes a verse in I Corinthians 15:58 as it relates to our work in the Lord.

“Therefore, my 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.”

The human tendency in our labor in the Lord is to doubt whether our labor in the Lord is worthwhile: If our labor in the Lord has made a real difference: If the effort was worth it.

In most cases, this tendency seems to arise when we do not see immediate benefits and results in our labor.  When things seem to remain pretty much the same, we tend to get discouraged.  We tend to give less than a full effort. We tend to waver; especially in the face of life’s other responsibilities and demands.

Paul challenges us then to stand firm. Not to be moved with the discouragements and problems of life, but to remember that the scriptures remind us. “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

God is with us. Our church is with us. Our friends are with us. Our family is with us. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Pastor Jim