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From the Pastor's Desk:
May 28, 2026 
 
 
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Dear Friends,

As I sit here reflecting, my mind keeps returning to the closing words of Paul’s great chapter on hope in 1 Corinthians. Specifically, Verses 57 and 58. It’s a passage many of us know by heart, but when we strip away the familiar cadence, its practical message for our modern, often exhausting lives is incredibly grounding.

Paul writes:

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

When you look closely at how these two verses are stitched together, something beautiful happens.

The Gift of a Finished Victory: Verse 57 is all about perspective. Notice the tense Paul uses: God giveth us the victory. He doesn't say "might give," or "will give if you work hard enough." It is a present-tense reality. In our culture, we are conditioned to believe that victory is something we have to achieve, earn, or fight for. But Paul flips that script. The heavy lifting has already been done. Our security, our ultimate peace, and our victory over the things that break this world are gifts already handed to us.

The "Therefore" of Daily Life: Because that victory is already a settled fact, verse 58 opens with a massive pivot word: Therefore.

This is where the rubber meets the road. Paul tells us to be "stedfast" and "unmoveable." He isn't asking us to be superheroes. He is asking us to be anchored. When the world feels chaotic, when our personal lives feel shaky, or when anxiety creeps in, we don't have to panic. We can stand our ground because our foundation is already secure.

Your Labor is Not in Vain: The letter closes with a phrase that I hope brings comfort to anyone feeling burnt out right now: "your labour is not in vain."

It is easy to look at our daily efforts—parenting, working, volunteering, caring for an aging family member or neighbor; or just trying to choose kindness in a cynical world—and wonder, Does any of this actually matter? Am I making a difference?

Paul’s answer is a resounding yes. When our efforts are rooted in love and connected to God's larger story, nothing is wasted. The small, quiet acts of faithfulness that no one else sees are deeply meaningful. They ripple out in ways we might never fully understand on this side of heaven.

As we go through this week, let’s hold onto that. You don't have to win the day; the victory is already taken care of. You just have to stand firm, keep doing good, and trust that your ordinary, everyday faithfulness matters more than you know.

Peace be with you,
Pastor/Elder Donald Bridgett