Seemingly Useless

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Useless – God doesn’t allow for the useless. The Word says all things work together for good, so He can take those experiences that feel useless and use it for His service. I think about the Israelites that wandered in the wilderness for forty years. That might feel pretty useless. Yet, how many miracles did God show them while they wandered “uselessly.” He taught them He was their provider – daily manna, quail for meat, water from a rock. Their clothes and shoes didn’t wear out. That type of provision teaches reliance on the Lord to meet needs that can not be taught through knowledge.

He was there to lead them with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. He led them every step of the way. That type of direction builds an understanding that God is not going to leave You and that you can trust His daily guidance.

He also visited face to face with Moses. The Israelites were able to see God’s glory when Moses came from meeting with God. They were able to see his glory in the uselessness of the forty years. They learned obedience in the moment when they followed the pillar, but also in the various things they were instructed to do during that time.

Even in my own life, I have seen how God used seemingly insignificant moments for His glory and taught me unexpected lessons that prepared me for things that I would face. The wilderness is a training place in our life. We even see in the life of Jesus, that the useless temptation of Christ was a training place for His ministry and ultimate purpose. The battle, He won in the garden was initially forged in the wilderness.

Prayer – Lord, thank You for shaping me in what felt like useless moments. You know what I really need, the tangible, but also the opportunities for growth that bring me to where I need to be for Your plans and purpose for me.