Labored in Vain? (Galatians 4:11)

"I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain" (Galatians 4:11).

With all the problems that the Galatians have encountered, Paul was worried about them. They had basically reversed most of everything he taught. He was worried that all of his work was in vain.

In this verse, Paul shows his spiritual fatherhood over the Galatian churches. He worries over them as a parent over a wayward child. How many of you have looked at your child, at one point or another, and asked the same question about your child? How could I have spent so much time and energy and you won't listen to me?

This struggle every parent and every pastor understands well. All the labor we put into our children and our congregation but people still turn aside to the left and the right. But do we labor in vain? Absolutely not! All labor done in Christ is not in vain. It will bear abundant fruit, but it might take some time. And God gives us the strength to wait patiently for His fruit. Amen.