by Chantel Poisel, Communications Coordinator, Sidewalk Advocates for Life
Verses: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Reflection: We all have moments where we wonder if all of our time and sacrifice on the sidewalk is worth it. We don’t always receive confirmation that what we are doing is having a positive impact.
In this passage, Paul is admonishing us to stand firm and to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. In our pro-life work, we need to not give up and persevere in sharing the truth. Continue showing up on the sidewalk and reaching out to women-in-crisis with truth and love. And we aren’t to be passive about it: While we are peaceful on the sidewalk as we reach out to abortion-minded clients, we are to “give ourselves fully” – with our best effort and our whole hearts.
Sometimes, that takes a lot. We may receive persecution when we speak with those who disagree with our position. It is sometimes a hardship to stand on the sidewalk every month, every week or every day. Paul assures us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. There is worth to what we are doing when we are doing it for the Lord — seeds are being planted every time we go out, and we never know what amazing victories will suddenly blossom!
Faith Challenge: I want to challenge you to stand firm. Keep pressing on in this work. Do not give up! We might never meet a child that was saved from our efforts. We may never receive earthly recognition for our sacrifices. But we are assured that if we are doing it for the Lord, it is worth it, and there are, at the very least, victories that go unseen that will reveal themselves in Heaven.
So therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and let nothing move you!