Labor Pains || 09.03.2022

I want to take a deep breath after looking at my title today. I am not talking about pregnancies today. I am not talking about the process of going into labor. I am staying far away from it today. The definition of labor that we’re going to focus on is “work hard; make a great effort.” It’s the verb definition of labor. We’re connecting that to Paul today. Paul labored a lot during his pastoral work. Listen to some of these accomplishments:

• Paul preached for Christ throughout Rome on three separate journeys.
• Paul wrote many letters to various churches, nine letters to be specific. He also had four letters written to newer church leaders (Timothy and Titus) and one to a member of the Colossae church (Philemon). 
• Paul planted churches, preached the gospel, and gave strength and encouragement to early Christians. 

Paul’s ministry was a lot of work or much labor. Work can be challenging. Work can be exhausting. Work can be draining. Paul went through much suffering. Listen to some of this pain: 

• He was in prison, endured beatings, and was often near death. 
• He received the punishment of 39 lashes five separate times. 
• He was a part of three shipwrecks, where one of them had him spend the night in the sea. 
• During his travels, he was in danger from rivers, thieves, his people, and Gentiles. 
• He was in danger in cities, abandoned cities, and on the sea. 
• He was in danger from false believers. 
• He’s gone without sleep. He’s been severely hungry, thirsty, and cold. 

Paul’s hardships sound like a pain, right. He was laboring through his teachings, travels, church planting, and more while enduring all these pains. Again, work can be painful. We may suffer through our labors. We may suffer through the work we do. We may suffer through the things we do, and yet Jesus shows us how to get his rest. Remember, Jesus had his labor pains as well. Jesus endured physical pain, emotional trauma, and spiritual agony. He had to go through a 40-day famine in the wilderness. Jesus suffered the emotional torment of battling the Pharisees. He suffered the worst thing of all in His crucifixion. Yet, he overcame it all. Let me show you how he says we can overcome our labor pains: 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. 

That was Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message. What an excellent recovery for labor pains, right? And again, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT PREGNANCY. Jesus says are you exhausted, then go to them. Get away from the cycles of labor, and you’ll feel refreshed. Jesus shows us how to get real rest. It’s taking time away from the rhythms of labor and joining the journey with Jesus to enjoy the rhythms of grace. Jesus doesn’t give us more labor to receive this rest. Jesus walks with us to tailor that rest to our needs, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Stay with him in your rest, and you will feel that recharge that you need after dealing with your labor pains. Let me close this message with prayer:

“Dear God, we thank you for the gifts and talents you’ve given us through the Holy Spirit to accomplish what do need us to do to bring Glory to you. Lord, as we progress through the week, I pray that we can seek you when we feel worn, exhausted, and tired of our labor pains. We can seek you and find that rest you invite us into God. Lord, we love you. We thank you for all you do. We praise you day in and day out. Amen.