But that's wrong.
No matter what I do, God is still God. He will continue His work, whether I am "good" or "bad."
I cook dinner most nights. Sometimes the 2 year old throws a hissy fit in the hallway next to me. I just continue to work on dinner. Sometimes the 2 year old has dumped the plastic plates and cups out of the cabinet. I just step over the mess and continue to work on dinner. Sometimes the 2 year old is clinging to my legs and singing. I just limp around and continue to work on dinner. I am at work no matter what he does.
In fact the things that I do are quite like the things my son does. They are quite futile.
Here's a definition for you:
fu·tile
ˈfyo͞odl,ˈfyo͞odīl/
adjective
- incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
"a futile attempt to keep fans from mounting the stage"
synonyms: fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, ineffectual, ineffective, inefficacious, to no effect, of no use, in vain, to no avail, unavailing;
My actions are often futile. And that's REALLY frustrating! But no matter how hard I strive to "do better," my actions remain futile.
Look, I'm not making this up!
"For the creation was subjected to futility--not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it--in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God's children." (Romans 8:20-21)
It's right there in the Bible. Your works are futile. Why do you keep trying so hard??
Paul became exasperated with the Galatians for trying too hard: "You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified? I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1-3)
Listen to me for a moment:
WORKING HARDER DOES NOT MAKE YOU A BETTER CHRISTIAN.
Jesus invites us into a place of rest: "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Besides that, He likes to use our weaknesses for His glory. Did you hear that? He takes all your sins and struggles and problems and uses them for His glory!
"Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
He shines through the cracks in our lives. So cheer up, and don't be afraid of your futility!
But what if we stumble? What if we mess up? What if we say or do the wrong thing?
Well, we probably will. We're doing that already, aren't we? But if we stop trying to proceed in OUR strength and begin to rest in HIM, we will find ourselves stumbling much less. Try it.
What do I mean by rest in Him? Just remember that He loves you. Remember that He loves you when you're being very good, and He loves you when you're being very bad. His grace isn't dependent upon your doing better. He just loves you. Rest in that knowledge. Let it free you to relax in His arms. When you relax and take your eyes off of yourself and your problems, you are free to focus on Him. And as you keep your eyes on Him, He transforms you.
"We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Embrace your futility. It reminds you that you are not God.
(and for further study, check out Romans 8)
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