Wash, Rinse, Repeat
Thoughts on the daily grind
What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:3, NIV)
The shampoo bottle gives directions: wash, rinse, repeat. Our life sometimes seems like a shampoo bottle of washing, rinsing, and repeating.
Each of us has specific labors for the day. Yet, we still grow weary of the daily grind as we get in the car for the umpteenth time, face the same heavy traffic, and clock into a job going nowhere.
I have five children, so I have changed many diapers. I mostly used cloth diapers, so it was, quite literally, wash, rinse, hang on the line to dry, and repeat, and repeat.
However, other jobs seem pointless. I scrub my kitchen floor often only to have someone spill a drink or drag in mud, and don’t let me get started on laundry. It is a ceaseless job.
I never receive recognition, pay raises, bonuses, or promotions.
We toil to bring about positive changes, but the ground we gain seems miniscule. At times, our work may seem “meaningless,” as the writer of Ecclesiastes repeats over and over again.
How do we stay motivated when we feel our labors are in vain?
(1 Colossians 3:23–24, NIV) says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We must keep our eyes aimed at Christ instead of the monumental work before us or the lack of progress behind us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2, KJV)
Remembering that our employer is Christ, we will find motivation powered by His love. We will not grow weary in our service.
We need to pray.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:11–13, NIV)
If we only ask, God will give us patience, joy, peace, and strength. He will supply all that we lack.
We must listen to God’s quiet voice.
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12, KJV)
Like Elijah at Horeb, God will give us instructions. He may tell us to step out in faith by changing direction or to keep the course. Even as I write these devotionals, I often wonder if the message has any impact.
What might God be saying to us?
I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded. (Mark 9:41, CEB)
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40, NIV)
Go ahead! Wash, Rinse, and repeat. Your work is not in vain.
