You are (probably) wasting your time.
Have you every wondered how to raise your kids or future kids in a way that is glorifying to God as well as in a way that will be a blessing to you? What about how to have a relationship that is honoring to God or a job that is a part of God's plan?
Psalm 127 speaks specifically about how to think about, treat and nuture children, but the Bible has lots to say about those other areas as well. However, the key to these areas becoming areas of worship and not idols that we hope will save us or make us happy, is found in the first two verses of Psalm 127.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
(Psalm 127:1-2 ESV)
Many of us live our lives daily pursuing, worrying about and planning how to make our children good, our relationships better or our career fulfilling. According to Psalm 127, unless God does these things, the work, worry and planning is in vain.
Here is the secret: God is most concerned with His glory according to Isaiah 48 -
“For my name's sake I defer my anger,
for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you,
that I may not cut you off.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,
for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another.
(Isaiah 48:9-11 ESV)
When we recognize, understand and submit the areas of our lives like children, relationships and careers to Christ and His glory, we truly surrender to the truth of Psalm 127. These areas are given to us to be a blessing to Jesus and bring glory to Him.
So how do we bring glory to God in these areas? We are satisfied by Him in these areas. We submit to Him and ask Him to show what will bring Him the most glory and satisfy us the most.
What are you worrying about, trying hard to make work out or pursuing today? Is it Christ and His glory or your own?