Day 17: Stir

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor is not in vain.”

Understand:

1. How should we approach doing God’s work?
2. Why would our labor not be in vain?

Listen: Years ago, a pastor said, “Let God stir you but don’t let the world shake you.” I remember this because I wrote this down in my Bible next to our verse today. Here’s the thing, I’m really good about allowing God to stir me. It’s so exciting when the Holy Spirit’s discernment allows me to see the direction God is taking me, even if it may be challenging, it is exciting. When it comes to the world shaking me, I look at this two ways. First, we are to hold fast to Christ and His teachings and not allow ourselves to be drawn away from Him or what we know is the truth. The world has a tendency to distort truth to fit what is popular at that moment. We can see the repercussions in these actions quite a bit. Still, we must be careful to rely on God’s word for direction in our cultures. Change is good and beneficial but if it doesn’t align with God’s word or goes directly against His word, then that change will do nothing but harm. Second, the world can shake us by intimidation or fear. My mother used to tell me that you know you’re living for Christ when you are going through spiritual attacks. See, Satan can throw doubt at you that you’re doing the right thing. He can throw insecurity at you where you question your ability to do what God wants you to do. He can throw fear at you where you think you might fail and look ridiculous or that doing something God wants you to do will get you or your family hurt. This is why understanding 1 Corinthians 15:58 is so important. Being steadfast and immovable means clinging to God’s word and focusing on His truth. The world and the culture we live in strives to work against His word. We have to work really hard to remain immovable when the world is shaking us so hard it feels like our very bones are falling apart. Being steadfast means holding on during the earthquake! The world may shake us but we are told to remain in Christ and cling to His word so we will excel in what we are doing for Him. This isn’t always easy and often takes everything we have to live it.

Here’s what’s really wonderful! The verse right before, 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is why verse 58 begins with “Therefore.” We already have the victory so even though we might be shaken to our very core, we’ve already won the battle through Jesus! It would be like starting a diet, knowing eating better will make you healthier, but also knowing the process of changing your eating habits isn’t going to be fun. But, what if, you were guaranteed that you would feel better and lose 10 pounds – for sure! No questions asked. You’ve already done it now you just have to be steadfast and immovable to make better food decisions so you will excel. You’ve already won the battle through Jesus!

Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for our victory through Jesus Christ. In all things in our life, help us to remember that we are already victorious because You love us and Your word tells us we have the victory. May we develop confidence to remain steadfast and immovable and always excel in doing the work You need us to do. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.