Written by Melanie Curtis, Office assistant for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, AR.
Do you ever feel lost in this world? Like everything is meaningless, or what you’re doing in life either isn’t enough, or you aren’t where you thought you’d be? Even one of the wisest people ever, King Solomon, felt this way. He had everything he could have ever imagined and more—power, wealth, influence... Yet somehow, in Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, he still complained, “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?”
Lately, with all the stress in life, and in the world around us, we may wonder, “Is it even worth it? Will anything I do make a difference anyway?” Jesus did not hold to this philosophy. He said, “‘Everything is possible for one who believes’” (Mark 9:23b), and, speaking of salvation, “‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God’” (Mark 10:27b).
So what are some ways we can fulfill our function in the body of Christ, even in the midst of insecurity, change, and doubt? We should look to the Lord for help in this matter, searching the Word, praying for guidance, and looking at Jesus’ example. Below are some Scriptural examples that can guide and encourage us:
1. Remember to LOVE.
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world...Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:4b & 7)
2. Remember WHO your motivation is.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
3. Remember even the little things can make a BIG difference.
“‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”’” (Matthew 25:34-40)
4. Remember WHOSE you are and what that means.
“‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
I leave you with this verse, Solomon’s final conclusion regarding our purpose in life:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)