Useless Labour

Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat-
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

- Psalm 127:1-2

I often find myself thinking, "It may be a little harder doing things my way, but the independence is worth it - I'll get there in the end."

God has a different perspective however. Without God, according to this Psalm, our labour is not only frustrating, but it is completely useless. I do not achieve anything when I go out on my own - I will not get there by myself.

Fortunately, God also has an answer. He freely offers to work with us in our labours, to stand watch with us and for us. He has made this promise through Jesus, by sending Him to establish the relationship and the closeness that we could not have otherwise.