Do you ever grow discouraged in your walk with Christ? People who reject Him, spit on His image, and defame His name go unpunished and even seem to live more carefree and happy than we do. Are you ever tempted to ask, “Is this all worth it?” Wouldn’t it be easier to just stop trying to follow Him and swim against the tide than to always seem to face conflict and struggle? (Psalm 73:3-5)
Maybe you wonder if the payoff will be worth the price? When the world is intent on wearing you down (John 16:33; 1 John 5:19), doubts will creep into the hearts of even the most steadfast. But following Jesus is never for nothing. It is worth the struggle, and He is always worth the pain. (Romans 8:18; Hebrews 12:11)
Many years ago, Margaret Becker wrote the song “Never for Nothing,” and it has played on repeat in my brain for four decades. She wrote, “It’s never for nothing when you love with no return.” We won’t always see the fruit of our labor here on earth. We may die before understanding the way God has used our lives to affect others for Him. But He promises a bountiful harvest to those who work for His glory. (Galatians 6:9; John 4:36) Our labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
I must be feeling nostalgic because, as I write this, I’m also reminded of a line from the baseball movie “A League of Their Own.” In it, the character played by Tom Hanks says, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.” Christianity is like that. It’s hard to follow Jesus in a world hellbent on destroying His Church. Everyone would pick Heaven if given the choice. It’s the “hard” that separates the wheat from the chaff. (Luke 3:17) Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)
We work for Christ because we love Him. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) And through it all, it is never for nothing. He promises to reward those who love Him with eternal life with Him in Heaven. (James 1:12; John 17:3) Regardless of what it costs us in this life, that is a prize worth all the effort. To spend eternity with Jesus is worth more than any amount of success or pleasure we could ever find on earth. He is the reason we live, and He is why we don’t fear dying. (Philippians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
It’s helpful sometimes to take a step back from everything swirling around our lives and remember why we live as we do. It’s all for Jesus. Nothing about this life is about us. To live for ourselves is to die in our sins. (Romans 6:23) But to live for Christ is pure gain. (Philippians 1:21) One day He will reveal all things, and we will understand every trial, every hardship, and every temptation. (1 Corinthians 4:5) Until that day, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting that Jesus is controlling all things and that everything is working together for our good and to fulfill His plan. (Romans 8:28)
Life is hard, but it is not without meaning or purpose. Our afflictions will result in a great eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Hold fast to your faith, because your reward will soon be coming. (Revelation 22:12) Now we know in part, but then we will understand in full. (1 Corinthians 13:12) And what we must know now, and will know then, is that this life we live is never for nothing.