More Thoughts on a Monday in Holy Week

…and could the LORD Himself be saying to you and me, "You are my servant, in whom I will be glorified"? (Isa 49.3) And might we then reply, I feel as though

I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God." (Isa 49.4)

I labour and spend my own strength, striving for "success" in vain, for nothing and vanity if not  in and for the LORD, whether big or small, in life or death, in either case "alive to God in Jesus Christ" (Rom 6.11), looking not only to my own interests, but to the interests of others (Phil 2.4), loving and seeking the glory that comes from God more than the fleeting, pale imitation of glory that comes from humankind (John 12.43) for,

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and wherever I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him. (John 12.25-26)