Wondering Why Life Can Be Frustrating, Seeking to Serve My Savior

Do the daily surprises and challenges of life ever frustrate you? As you deal with necessary chores, many of which you did not choose, do you ever wonder what purpose you are serving, or if you are accomplishing anything worthwhile? Kathy and I have returned home to Alaska after about 20 months in Florida. When one returns home after such a long absence, there are details to face, many of which were not necessarily expected.

We arrived at our home in Palmer on Monday night, May 5. On Tuesday morning Kathy’s car would not start. The battery was drained . . . again. Thankfully, my truck did start, even if my garage door openers needed new batteries. Technology is a challenge! Also, our printer would not talk to our computers, nor did it work. I downloaded a new driver from the internet for the printer, and found out we were out of ink. However, the printer is now up and working and we have both printed. 😊 Do you hear my frustration?

Our internet signal seemed slower than we remembered. Multiple television and streaming applications gave us trouble. First, we found out that our apple device needed to be updated, before Amazon would work. I accomplished both of those tasks, but not quickly. Youtube TV did not recognize our area of operation, but we changed our home location and now we have local TV. All that takes time! It’s frustrating.

I tried to work in the yard and to roto-till my garden. However, when I tugged on the pull cord, the cord broke! Then it took me time and some thinking to discover the secret of re-installing the pull cord so it would retract. After an hour or so, after some tinkering and multiple tries, and after some frustration, I finally did get my garden tilled for the summer. I am thankful that is done. I wish didn’t have so many detours on the way to accomplishing this labor of love.

And of course, one of my first priorities was to get my boat in the water. My friend and boat-builder installed a new outboard motor last year. I had agreed to work with my friend as I launched my boat for the first time with the new motor. I charged the boat battery and took it to the shop. But, when I turned the key I only got a beep. The engine did not move, nor did the tachometer react. You perhaps know that I spend much time fishing. 😊 However, without a boat, plans change. Again, after arriving home to Alaska, and while seeking to return to normal, I was frustrated!

Finally, I did get all my tools and technology working. But what did I accomplish in all those minor, frustrating, distracting tasks? Was all the time spent fruitful for good? I asked myself those questions and thought about God’s words at the beginning of the Book of Ecclesiastes. “2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3) Good question, King Solomon! What is the purpose of all the tasks of life?

First, let me assure you that God does have a purpose for our lives, and even for our daily chores. Consider the words from God written by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Our purpose in life, in whatever we do, no matter how small or frustrating the task, is to glorify our Creator, our Lord, our Savior.

Perhaps also consider with me Colossians 3:17. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Because Jesus died and rose to save us, to restore our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,” even the seemingly mundane and frustrating tasks of life.

Do you think Jesus was ever frustrated? Did His ministry ever feel pointless? In John 17, in the upper room on the night that Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, on the night He instituted the Lord’s Supper, before Jesus walked to the Garden of Gethsemane, He also prayed for His followers, for the Church. Jesus’ prayer began in this way, with these words, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,” (John 17:1) Consider how Jesus gave glory to His Father, and glorified Himself. Jesus gave His life! He was arrested, lied about, beaten and whipped. He received an unjust trial and died on the cross. This sacrifice from the holy Son of God seemed pointless to His disciples. However, even facing these difficult and surely frustrating tasks, Jesus honored His Father and loved the world. His crucifixion was not meaningless! As Jesus gave of Himself, as He served, He accomplished the purpose His Father had for Him. He saved us!

As you deal with necessary chores, many of which you did not choose, do you ever wonder what purpose you are serving, or if you are accomplishing anything worthwhile? In many ways it is not so much the chores, but how we face them. Can I approach these seemingly mundane tasks while serving my Lord and loving others? If so, then even the frustrations of returning home are worthwhile. In fact, because Jesus served me, I want to deal with life’s frustrations . . . for Him.