The Endless List

Prepare for Bible class.
Write a sermon outline.
Design the sermon PowerPoint.
Put out fires.
Contact guests.
Reach out to those who are slipping away.
Counsel.
Meet.
Plan for the future.
Pray... pray... pray.

So much of our work is wrapped up in the doing — the endless doing (James 1:22).
And the list never ends. It never seems to slacken.
Rarely do we get to see the results of it all.

We don’t see the heart quietly growing in faith (2 Peter 3:18).
We don’t see the young believer standing firm against the tide of doubt and temptation (1 Timothy 4:12).
We don’t see the college student resisting fleshly desires (2 Timothy 2:22).
We don’t hear the private conversations where generosity is encouraged and faith is deepened (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

But when someone stumbles — when a heart falters, when words betray weakness — that we see. That we hear.

The victories?
They are often invisible to our eyes.

Imagine you were a coach — living through every defeat, but never seeing the scoreboard when you won.
Imagine winning far more often than losing — but never getting to celebrate the victories.

Hold tightly to this word: Someday.

It’s the word Abram must have kept tucked away in his heart as he journeyed without seeing the promise fulfilled (Hebrews 11:8-10).
It’s the word Joseph clung to in the silence of the prison cell (Genesis 50:20).
It’s the word that lives in the promises of Christ’s return (John 14:1-3).

Someday.

• Someday, the fruit of your labor will be clear (Galatians 6:9).

• Someday, the wrongs against you will be made right (Romans 8:18).

• Someday, the defenses you made for the faith will be shown to be strong and sure (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

• Someday, the hurt in your heart will be healed (Revelation 21:4).

• Someday, the heavy list you carry will be gone (Matthew 11:28-30).

Someday.

Hold it close.
Breathe it in.
Cling to it with all your might.

Someday.