What’s the Point?
She resisted the urge to slam her laptop shut. A cracked screen was the last thing she needed at the moment. Her empty mailbox slowly went dark as the shutdown process finished its work.
Shutdown.
A sarcastic snort escaped from her chest. “Yeah. That’s about right,” she thought to herself. But there was nothing she could do about it. The ball was in their court. If and when they ever decided to respond wasn’t up to her. It was up to them. And 90% of the time, they’ve ghosted her.
“What’s the point?” she said outloud. All her hard work…the hours she put in. All the research, the emotional and mental investment, not to mention time away from family and friends to actually do the thing. It amazed her that this process was just ‘the nature of the business’. It just didn’t seem fair. If all she got was crickets for everything she’d done, what was the point in doing it in the first place?
Rising from her chair she stretched her back then walked into the living room and fell onto the couch, propped her feet on the coffee table and leaned her head back. Letting out a heavy sigh she closed her eyes. A voice came from her right.
“What’s the point of what?”
Opening her eyes, she raised her head and looked over at her husband. “What?”
“A minute ago you said ‘what’s the point.’ What’s the point of what?”
The last thing she felt like doing was explaining the ins and outs of the work she did and the people she worked with to her husband. Besides the fact that a low throb was starting to pulsate at her left temple. It wasn’t his fault though. She was just too tired to go into it.
“Oh…nothing. It’s nothing babe. I’m ok. It’s all good.” She leaned her head back and once again, closed her eyes. After a few seconds, the voice spoke again.
“Then why the sad face?”
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameness and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I many be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”
Philippians 2:12-18
ALL things? Really? But did you see, God? Talk about crooked and twisted!
Because light shines best in darkness, child.
Oh.
I’ll tell you something. When God hits you between the eyes, things can get pretty clear.
There are days when I just feel like stopping. Everything. I want a flashing neon sign over my head that reads:
“Due to circumstances beyond our control we are closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
You?
I don’t know if you know this or not, but it’s ok to feel that way. It’s ok to feel like stopping. It’s even ok to stop. It’s ok to take a break from work, from people, from things. The armor gets beaten up, heavy and dull. The fighting has taken its toll. The work has become questionable. We wonder if it’s worth it all. Is it worth the blood, sweat and tears.
We all need breaks. We all need to stop for a little while. Just don’t stay stopped. You gotta get up again. Because what you do is important. It really is.
Remember those verses from Philippians? Take some time and read them again. So much Truth there!
We are to “shine like stars in the universe.”
It’s pretty dark in space.
So hold fast believer! No matter how dark it gets, what you do is not in vain! It is an offering to God…for His glory. For the Kingdom. Because light shines best in darkness. That’s the point. Shine away my friend. Shine away.
Father, you know how often I want to give up. Sometimes I just feel like throwing up my hands! But let them be hands raised in surrender. Help me to rest in you because I know that you are in me and work through me for my good and for your glory. Thank you Lord for being my light and my salvation! Let your light always shine through me! Amen.
