Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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. (1 Corinthians 15:51–58)This passage is positive and speaks of death as a victory. Most of my devotions are not about the next life but usually the challenges of this life and the things I need to do or change as I live as a Christian. It is about saying goodbye to sin more than about the eternal victory of immortality.
However, for the past few days I’ve had an amusing conversation with one granddaughter about what will happen to my possessions when I die. She wants my hubby’s golf clubs and his Lego castle. However, as I look at some of these things and consider death will separate me from everything I enjoy in this life except Jesus, I’ve had a bit of a grieving process.
I also like the work I do. Two major activities are God-given. He has me making quilts to show His love to needy people, the homeless, ill, grieving, poor, in wheel chairs, with dementia, kids who sleep on the floor, and so on. Some days this work is hard and I’m exhausted, but never doubt that is what He wants from me during this stage of my life.
Yet there are days when I just want to quit. Is this task doing any good? Are people being blessed? Sometimes I can see the results, but not usually.
The other task is prayer. Steadfast is a challenge. I’m easily distracted. I cannot see the results as much as I’d like. Yet I know the answers are far more important than quilts that will eventually perish. Prayer involves eternal matters, including the battle here against sin, but also the destiny of those on my prayer list. I so easily give up, yet today Jesus surprises me with “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.”
Thank You Jesus for this encouragement. Prayer is a labor and while I cannot always see the results, You grant me faith to know that You hear and that You are working in the lives of the people I pray for and in the challenging situations in this sin-filled world. Often there is no explanation and no specific request except “Thy will be done.” Elements of vanity can creep into quilt-making, but sincere and stedfast prayer needs humility and because You hear and answer, in prayer is never in vain because it definitely glorifies You.