I started my own journey as a caregiver in March of this year. As I continue to read through the Bible since then, I am bombarded by so many verses, thoughts, challenges, instructions, and encouragements for those of us walking this path. Please allow me to share with you what God pointed out to me today.

The apostle Paul addressed the Thessalonian Christians in his first letter to them (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3). He mentions their work and labor for the Lord, describing it vividly in verse 3. I want to compare how these early Christians served the Lord with how I want to serve Him today. Listen to verse 3:

(Paul says): “We recall . . . your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.” (CSB)

Work produced by faith

My ministry to my mom includes work! Has faith brought me here? Yes! God’s commands and character opened this ministry to me. Yet DUTY is a cold motive if it’s alone.

Labor motivated by love

But when LOVE enters the equation, it changes everything. (See 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.) This includes both love for God, first of all, as well as love for my mother.

Endurance inspired by hope

I love this last line! Having endurance and feeling inspired seem like opposites. Yet HOPE keeps me enduring this race God has given me. And what does my hope rest in? The fact that this is merely a “season” of my life? That heaven’s coming? Future rewards? Well, no, though those can bring a measure of hope. But my hope must be in my Lord Jesus Christ. What does that even mean? I’m not 100% sure! I have a feeling that I may just learn that on this journey. But I do know that looking at the example Jesus gave me of enduring the cross and looking ahead to the joy awaiting Him, definitely inspires me to keep on going one day at a time.

Maybe you’re not a caregiver today. But in whatever ministry or work or labor you are facing, I hope you can find encouragement from this verse, too. May we live in faith, love, and hope . . . for the right reasons, based on the right foundation, with the right Model to follow.