But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God. (Isaiah 49:4)
One of the most difficult parts about being a teacher is not seeing the fruit of one’s labors. Sure, during the course of the semester a student or two will improve more than usual, and I will notice a lesson taking hold. Sometimes a former student drops by my office and during a conversation reveals that something from my class has been applied to another course or her or his job with striking results. But such moments are few compared to the day to day business of instruction.
I do not think my job is really that different from others in this regard, or from the everyday life of being a parent (or friend, or volunteer, or minister). Life, we find, never seems to equate with the work we put into it. So discouragement can stick to us like a coat of chain mail covered in tar.
But faith means we keep working, keep turning to God, even in this grief, and keep trusting that the Lord will make something marvelous of our labor, even if we never see it. Faith means resting in the arms of our Lord, and knowing He sees what we don’t, as God’s time is not like our time. Faith also means keeping from the pull of earthly rewards, which do not last and are not the true fruit.
Christ Jesus, You suffered for each of us knowing the reward no one could see would result from your obedience. Thank you. Evermore be our example and our guide. Amen.
