Nothing is a waste

I’m reading through the entire Bible this year using The Message translation, and as we begin this eighth month, I’m still on track to finish by the end of the year! Sometimes I have to laugh at the modern-day paraphrase, and other days, I just love Eugene Peterson’s interpretation. This is what I read this week in 1 Corinthians 15:58.

“With all this going on for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourself into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.”

This first half of 2024 has been an incredible season of joy, rest and recovery for me. As I look around at the world in FULL bloom right now, I’m full of thankfulness… and also starting to feel restless and anxious about what’s next for my life. I’m glad for the reminder that like the tiny seeds I planted months ago, which have now bloomed into this incredible display, even the small, unseen things we do for Him aren’t a waste of time or effort.

The peacock feathers in the photos are from my sister’s farm. They are an ancient symbol of renewal and restoration. The peacocks are molting now, and we were surprised to see how many feathers they lost in just ONE day! As we begin a new month, I love thinking about the things I might need to leave behind so I can make room for what’s to come.

(By the way, I know that Peterson has been criticized for this loose interpretation of the Bible. But can you imagine paraphrasing all 1,189 chapters into modern English?! What a feat!)