EXPOSE | Living Like it All Depends on You
“Lots of Christians are practical atheists: faced with a problem, we instinctively turn to ourselves to fix it.” – Stephen Witmer
EXPLORE | Laboring in Vain
As I write this, my family and I have spent the last 6 weeks in a hotel room because the plumbing in our rental house has left it “uninhabitable.” A problem we can do nothing about. Calls to the City, property managers, and various tradesmen–all to no avail. It reminded me of a phrase I was first introduced to by a Radio consultant we were using at the time: “there’s a lot of running around on the field, but no points are being scored.” Which is to say, there is a lot of effort being put toward going nowhere. Most years, that would be a fair description of my Minnesota Vikings.
When initial efforts fail, we become more desperate and begin to anxiously stab at anything that might lead us to the resolution we seek. As this cycle continues, it tends to pick up speed as we become increasingly disillusioned.
In the case of our plumbing, it laid bare our dependency. Possibly the larger lesson in these instances is to clear up any confusion over who is most capable, and ultimately, responsible.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” – Psalm 127:1
However, laboring in vain is not limited to our trying to fix something that is broken, it also applies to our reaching forward to create and do good. We can just as easily look to ourselves to fix problems, as we can to know and do what is right.
EXECUTE | What it’s Like to No Longer Labor in Vain
So, what should our effort look like? How can we live in a healthy tension between working and trusting?
“The bitter fruit of laziness, anxiety, and pride have crept into my life whenever I’ve gotten it wrong. And on the flip side, the beautiful fruit of a restful heart and selfless love has resulted from getting it right.” – Stephen Witmer
God’s Hands on Ours
In his article, Unless God Works, We Work in Vain, Stephen Witmer lays out 3 scenarios: 1) God does nothing, we do everything, 2) God does everything, we do nothing, and finally, 3) God does everything and we do something. This last scenario is the basis for the healthy tension.
Witmer reminds us of 1 Corinthians 15:58, that says we’re “to be active, even abounding, in good works.” We are to be actively involved. The question is, how? Consider fatherhood as a prime example. When my dad taught me to mow the lawn, his hands were on top of mine, pushing and guiding the mower. It would not have been completed, or completed correctly had that not been the case.
The Work God Does
John Piper underlines this in his article, 11 Ways God Works for Us:
“…behind every accomplishment, God is at work for us… His working for me is always before and under and in any work I do for him.” – John Piper
For more than making a request, there is an intimate collaboration at work. Dependency, provision, trust. “This is us.”
“The proper connotation of saying God works for me is that I am bankrupt and need a bailout. I am weak and need someone strong. I am endangered and need a protector. I am foolish and need someone wise. I am lost and need a Rescuer.” – John Piper
To ensure that we’re not laboring in vain, take notice: where are God’s “hands” in relation to yours? Have you settled your heart on how God works? Then, are you practicing the proper “first responder” mentality? God should be looked to, and allowed, to respond first.
Further Reading:
Unless God works we work in vain
Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash
