“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
In other words, DON'T GIVE UP! DON'T QUIT.
We have a policy at our house and it is this: Cooley's aren't quitters! There is just something to teaching our children that when we sign up for a job or a sport, you don't quit mid season or after you figure out you don't like it or the coach is mean or you have too much homework or whatever laundry of excuses are sure to flow from child to parent about why they NEED to back out. My Bible says that you swear to your own hurt and change not. There is just something about crucifying your flesh as scripture teaches (not a very popular phrase these days in our feel good ministries) and yielding to what's right instead of what our fickle emotions "need". (Insert a whiney tone there.) And hey, ask my family, I can whine with the best of me but at some point we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and do what this verse in 1 Corinthians 15 says to do...
"be steadfast..." A wise person whom I appreciate a whole lot use to say "Stick and stay! It's bound to pay!"
If you have heard me speak or read much of my writings, you will know about the prolific daydreaming that goes on in my head of getting in the car to drive to Texas. Why Texas? I have no idea. Maybe because I wrote lines, "Texas is a big state." in high school for days any time I got in trouble for talking in class, chewing gum, or other awful atrocities committed in an 80's classroom like that. Anyway, time travel back to 2015, escaping from it all is a thought process I have to battle in my brain more often than anyone would ever guess. You have things you have to cast down out of your mind and that is maybe my number one thing I constantly cast down. The reason to bring that up is to say how important "Stick and stay. It's bound to pay." has been for me! This is why I am so glad my parents taught me - You sign up, you play. You don't quit. When the going gets tough, the tough get goin at it harder. All those lessons of character are biblical. Be steadfast!
The next part of that verse says to be "...immovable..." I think of a pit bull when I think of that word. A dog on a bone. This can be a great trait to have if it is expressed within the boundaries of submission and authority. Do you know people that are so stubborn and just become immovable when you are trying to do life with them? They are either narcistic or passive aggressive or any range of immovable. They cannot be led, they can not be reasoned with, they cannot be honest enough to make things right. That is NOT the kind of immovable this verse is talking about. It is saying to be immovable from the work of the Lord. What has God called you to? Think about if you would be immovable from that position, that calling, that specific assignment from your boss or parents or teacher? What if you were like a dog on a bone and when you get tired, you rest so you can do what the Bible says and not grow weary in well doing? That is what this Labor Day is alllllll about! Thank God for this great nation that has a National Holiday to remind us of the Biblical solution to our stress and anxiety! Rest! Take a day off, and not just once a year. So yes, be like a dog on a bone not neglecting the calling on your life! Yes, also rest so you don't burn out! Yes, when it comes to submission and authority with parents, teachers, or your boss, don't yield to that great immovable strength you have in that context. That is when to be very movable, pliable, and teachable. Save it for when you may fight an incurable disease or for when you have to press through really hard times to remain steadfast in what and where and who God has called you to! Be immovable in THAT way. That is why God made us stubborn, some of us more than others. LOL Why do you think I could peg that so right on?! Ha!
And here comes the fun part!!!!! ..."always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing your labor is not in vain." Does it feel like it is in vain sometimes?! Heaven to the yes it does!
That word, abounding means to super-abound, have in excess, greatly surpass, excel. According to the Spirit Filled Life Bible, abounding means giving assurance that the FAITHFUL use of ones talents and gifts sets the stage for one's own advancements! Shut the front door!!!!! OMGoodness, that is sooooo good.
I "all capped" FAITHFUL because if you miss that little word, it disqualifies that awesome result of one's own advancement. But if we are faithful, the sky is the limit. Is that great news or what?!?!
Listen, just last night I had to fight the blues like nobody's business! A whirlwind in my head was screaming, "Quit! You can't take this anymore. Maybe you are just not cut out for this! Your book will never be finished! You will be the laughing stock of all your friends in ministry. You are a loser and a quitter! You don't matter to people. Nobody loves you. You better just go eat worms!" Well, that last part just sounded funny so I threw that in to lighten the mood. The point is this. The devil lies to us all. You are not alone!
Now get away from your phone today. Go be with your family. Forget about it all and escape into His loving arms filled with rest on this beautiful Labor Day! Happy Labor Day...ANYWAY!!!!!! 😜💃🏻✨🎉