1 Corinthians 15:54-58 But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? 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 dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (EHV)
“Enough is enough! No matter how hard I try, the work is never ending. Once one situation under control, another issue pops up and it all seems to be for nothing!” How often do you think these things? Our lives as parents with children with special needs can become frustrating, which then leads to guilt over feeling frustrated! It’s not like our children asked for these challenges. However, with appointments and surgeries and all of the other things that pop up, the work never seems to end. How deflating it is when it seems that all the work we put into caring for our children never has a payout! Day in and day out it is much of the same thing over and over. What is the point in all of this?
God does not give as specific answers to these questions. But he does give us the answer to the question, “Is it worth it?” Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. The Lord cannot give us a more resounding answer to the question if working with our children is worth it! As difficult and frustrating the work can be, it is not in vain! It is not empty!
Notice what gives our work meaning: 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! Jesus’ victory over sin and death gives meaning to all of our work, including the work that frustrates us. Think about it this way: God’s victory is never in vain. It is never empty. As we care for our children, we have the privilege to share Christ victory over death. And Christ’s victory wins in the end. The challenges our children face will end in victory! The challenges we face as parents will end in victory!
When you feel defeated and lost in the grip of the never-ending battle to care for your children, God’s victory is never in vain, and neither is your work. One day all of us who are perishable because of sin, will be raised imperishable and be clothed with immortality. Christ is risen indeed. Death has been swallowed up in victory. Continue to give yourself to the work and remember, your work in the Lord in never in vain!
Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen me with the power of your resurrection. Help me see that the work I do is never in vain because my work is connected to your victory over the grave. Point me to the future when all of us will be raised from the dead to live with you forever. In your name I pray. Amen.
by Patrick Feldhus