Futility vs. Success

In Greek mythology, there is this king named Sisyphus that was condemned to a particularly futile eternal punishment.  In the myth, Sisyphus must roll a large boulder up a hill only to have it fall back down when he was near the top.  Not once but over and over and over again.  I think that there are some days that we all feel a little like this unfortunate fellow. While Sisyphus was condemned to futility we have a different promise.

Proverbs 16:3 says,  “Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.”  I wonder how many times someone has stood at a convenience store counter, purchasing a ticket for the latest mega-multi-jackpot-bonanza praying something like – “Lord, I’ll give half to the poor if you let me win.” I don’t have to wonder how many they didn’t win.  From what I’ve seen, God seems to take delight in confounding the plans of those that try to manipulate Him.

Instead, we are to commit our works, our activities, our passions, our service, to the Lord.  The picture in the verse is deeper than saying a simple prayer.  The word commit in this verse means “to roll”.  Which is where this verse intersects with Sisyphus.  Instead of trying to achieve something through our own strength and for our own glory we are to humbly submit our works, our activities, our passions, our service, to the Lord. Then will our plans be established, made firm, because they are the Lord’s plans, for His Kingdom and for His glory.  “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17, NASB95)  So, we can pridefully go our own way and experience the life of Sisyphus or we can seek to glorify God and find rest. 

Dale Heinold
Follow Me
Latest posts by Dale Heinold (see all)

2 Comments - Add Comment