LABOR WITH THE LORD
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1a, ESV
Theme: God is the true builder. Building His way means releasing control; God’s mission stalls when one person tries to do what was meant for many.
YES TO EVERYTHING
While I’m not good at everything, I enjoy and can accomplish many tasks fairly well. I catch on quickly. I enjoy a challenge. I like kids, teenagers, babies, adults, and the elderly. I am not afraid of public speaking. I like to travel, and ... As you can imagine, I tend to say “yes” too easily. This can cause problems for me, my family, the people who depend upon me to serve, and it is not good.
Throughout my life, God has gently brought me back to a balanced life before I burn out. When I find myself with a packed schedule, feeling spiritually dry, and no time in my schedule for Sabbath or rest, I know I have wrongly said “yes” to everything – or at least to too much.
JOIN HIM
What God is doing in the world is bigger than any individual can understand. Today’s Scripture uses the analogy of a house being built. Sometimes I can become like a very busy laborer, building on my own. Maybe I’m building shelves or a reading nook – because I like books. Yet, I’m not in charge. What if the place I’m building is plumbed and ready for kitchen sinks, ovens, and the book nook needs to go elsewhere? If the laborers build things wherever they want, rather than according to the builder’s plan, they are going to have to do some demolition and rework. They labor in vain.
Rather than start tasks I like or join every task or team just because I think I will be good at it, I need to see what God is doing and where He wants me to labor. Sometimes I’ve found He doesn’t want my labor at all; He wants me to sit on the bench for a minute! When I release control (because it’s His house after all!), His mission is accomplished. And I’m much less frustrated and exhausted.
LETTING GO
That’s what it takes for me: letting go. I try to anticipate and control outcomes – that's not letting go. I don’t like to stop anything mid-year or mid-cycle. Yet sometimes that is what needs to happen. Last minute changes to “the plan” (which is the plan I have in my head, not God’s plan) really get under my skin. Yet God does amazing things when I release my tight grip on what I’m building so that I can join Him in what He is building. In fact, I often find that His redirection allows me to bring someone else along.
This is a recurring pattern in my life – God gives me a task but really, it’s not a task; it’s a relationship to pursue. The task almost doesn’t matter, but the person really does. When I let go, I see God repeatedly sending me to people. When I think about what God is building (His Church) and what it is made of (His children), this makes sense. I know I don’t understand the whole picture and I’m thankful God is patiently teaching me to hold my tasks and labor loosely. Then I can labor with purpose, building with God who is the true Builder, rather than laboring on my own.
Make It Personal: What do you see God doing and how can you join Him? Do you (like me) tend to do too much? What would it look like to let go of some of your own projects and redirect that energy into what God is building?
Pray: Father God, You want good things for me and You know the whole plan. Help me to see where You want me to labor and what is my own plan, not Yours. I want to move with You as You direct. I don’t want to get in the way or cause others to get off track. Thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me to let go and join You in what You are already doing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Genesis 11:4-5, Psalm 118:22; Psalm 127
Weekly Memory Verse: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1a, ESV