Day 12 – Hardworking

“Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.” Proverbs 31:19 (NLT)

I instantly smile when reading this verse cause my very busy granny comes to mind while sitting in her favourite chair knitting and telling me that “idle hands are from the devil”. (Well, needless to say, I was so scared to have idle hands my whole life that I find it hard to do nothing.) This lady, my dear granny, would get up at 4 am to move the furniture in her house every week! All the chores were done before lunch and then she would find something else to keep her hands busy. She was really a hardworking lady whom I admired greatly.

So many times, I think we associate working “hard” wins bonuses, promotions, recognition, etc. But working hard from a Godly perspective means we are to do the job we’ve been given to do—but in a way that focuses on the best interests of those we’re serving—not our own benefits.

It’s one thing to work and get something done, but we should remember that more than getting to our desired result is HOW we get there that matters. And the “how” includes our Godly attitudes. It’s not about murmuring at the task at hand but the opportunity it gives you to work hard like you are doing it for THE BOSS (aka God – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24).

If you are moving around furniture at 4 am, scrubbing floors, typing letters, or baking cakes, trust that God will honor the hard work done His way.

Prayer: Father, more often than we seek an appraisal from people for the work we accomplished instead of looking to You for reward. The harder we work – the more effort we put into something – the more disappointed we are when we do not receive the recognition we think we deserve. Father, please forgive me for this and teach me to work heartily as for You and not for men in everything I do and to have peace that my reward is Your inheritance. Amen.

Written by Pastor Iriza

www.womenoftheword.co.za

I am Enough Ring