Today in my devotions I read 1 Corinthians 14-15. I came across 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." Christians have a difficult time in this world because the world is, well, ... worldly. The world does everything they can to make sin look fun, pleasurable and inviting. They want everyone to conform to wicked people who are against Christ as they are.For any Christians who are having a difficult time, Paul encourages you. He says, "Stay strong." Sometimes we feel like when we witness to non-Christian friends or relatives, it's not doing any good. It seems like words and actions fall on deaf ears. But Paul says, "Keep going, 'knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.'" Our labor is not in vain! Dictionary.com defines "labor" as 'to strive, as towards a goal.' That's exactly what our labor as Christians is. We are striving towards the end, when we see Jesus. While we are on this earth, we are laboring to draw as many people towards Christ as we possibly can.
So, those of you Christians out there who are doing your best to strive to shine Christ's light in your world, and are thinking that your work is proving useless, remember this: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."