WHAT’S THE POINT?| Beyond Writing, Part 2 of 3
(This is the second post in a series, "Beyond Writing." Click to read part one and part three.)
I’ve loved to write since I could hold a pencil. I wrote and told stories to my younger sister growing up, usually about children caring for one another because their parents died.
Occasionally I’ll use a pencil to write a list or jot down
an idea that I’d lose otherwise, and my children still use pencils for much of
their school work. Most of my writing is done on a laptop or desktop computer,
though. Whether my point is on the blunt-to-sharp scale of a pencil tip or an
exclamation point on my keyboard, the bigger question I’ve been asking during
my writing experiment of the past several months is—what’s the point of
writing?
We can ask that about anything we’re doing--what's the point? This is especially true if our activity involves a significant investment of time, emotional energy, and creative
juices. Why do we do what we do, and is it worth it? Our answer depends on our definitions of true worth and significance.
I tend to think of “worth” in terms of Kingdom value. Is
what I’m doing going to help build up the Kingdom of God (or not)? Will it help
or harm my family? Am I doing it selfishly or for others, ultimately for God’s
glory?
As a teenager, I read A Chance to
Die, Elisabeth Elliot’s biography of Amy Carmichael. I always
associate 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 with that book since it was the first time I
remember noticing and giving attention to that passage of Scripture. These verses had a significant impact on her life and ministry:
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is
laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest
for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire
will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has
built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is
burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as
through fire.”
We’re made in the image of God, and as image bearers, we
design, create and build. We could build any number of things out of a variety
of materials. Are we building on the foundation of Jesus Christ? What kinds of
materials are we building with, and will they stand the test of fire?
As this passage says, “each one’s work will become
manifest.” We might be tempted to judge our own construction sites and those of
others now, but that’s not our job.
Even if we walk through a crisis and our
life work seems to be crumbling around us, that doesn’t mean our years of
labor were in vain or wasted. God’s ways are not our ways, and he works in and
through us in mysterious ways. Let God be the judge of our work, and let us be
faithful laborers for him.
Here are some things we know to be true:
First, God’s word always accomplishes the purpose for which he sends it.[1]
First, God’s word always accomplishes the purpose for which he sends it.[1]
Next, what we do to the least of our brothers—quench
thirst, feed, clothe, visit—we do to him.[2]
In light of this, whatever form our work for him takes, we are to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord [our] labor is not in vain" (1 Cor. 15:58).
God sees everything we do in his name. All of it matters. Not one moment or act is missed or insignificant.
God sees everything we do in his name. All of it matters. Not one moment or act is missed or insignificant.
On the other hand, even those with towering structures that
command our attention may be built on a weak foundation and one day fall. So
much is unseen and left to be seen, revealed on that Day.
So if you’re home with your kids today, like I happen to be, let's pour out ourselves in a million hidden ways. God sees, he knows, he cares,
and every minuscule molecule of our work matters to him. If you’re attending to
an aging parent, do so in the grace and strength that God supplies. He’s with
you and your labor in his name is not in vain.
What’s the point? We’re servants and stewards. Paul uses this
language in talking about himself in 1 Corinthians 4:1, “This is how one should
regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
We’ve been given the great treasure of the gospel, and
whether we’re serving our families or working a desk job or pounding the pavement, we
want to be found trustworthy stewards of the great gift we’ve received in Jesus.
We want to use our time, talents, spiritual gifts—all of it, wherever we are
and whatever we’re doing—as servants and stewards, for him.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col.
3:17).
For more about Katie's book, Loving My Children, click here.
Email Katie at lovingmychildrenbook@gmail.com.
[1]
Isa. 55:11
[2]
Matt. 25:35-40