Heart Work: The Essence of HARD WORK

by Caroline Israel Kusi

Many of us grew up with the phrase, "Work hard and don't be lazy," but what exactly does working hard mean? I would like to apply a unique perspective to this thing we call "hard work." This unique perspective is rooted in the idea that our God-endowed calling is a "disposition." When you refer to something as being a disposition, you are conveying that your actions and perspective are contingent upon your state of mind or inclination. Therefore, the idea of "calling" or "being called" is a disposition and a state of mind depending on where God orders your steps. I want us to remember that we are on this earth for a reason and God has designed specific tasks to help us fulfill His ordained purpose for our lives. It becomes short-sighted when Christians assume that daily tasks that do not directly pertain to what has been prophesied to them about their "calling", are not important and do not require "hard" work or what I call "hearty" work.  However, when you read Colossians 3:23-24, Paul admonishes the Colossian Church that, "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men..."

The Scripture is indirectly describing hard work. To begin with, the use of the words "whatever" and "task" without specifications suggest several things:

1. Tasks are inevitable

2. Tasks vary-"Whatever"

3. Tasks are completed by someone FOR someone

4. The accomplishment of a task is to honor or appease varying audiences

Furthermore, the Scripture encourages Believers that regardless of the audience, regardless of the task; we must accomplish it from the HEART. Now briefly: What does it mean to accomplish something from your soul or heart? A better question would be what sorts of things are produced from our soul/heart? They are joy, happiness, hurt, anger, infatuated love, and many more. In essence, the Apostle Paul wants us to understand that regardless of the task and audience for whom the task is for; we must accomplish it while being joyful, happy, in good spirits, and appreciative in the process. Based on the afore mentioned revelation, anything accomplished from a bitter soul will never yield positive results here on Earth and in Heaven. Well, you might say, "How can I clean toilets and have joy?" or "How can I set up chairs for Sunday school and be happy?" 

The truth of the matter is: The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Whomever you work for and are completing the task for was placed in their positions by God. If the task you have been required to complete does not go against God's word and is part of the things that make the world go around; it was instituted by God. The ability to have this perspective will help you to perform hard work from the heart because you are "doing it unto the Lord (the Ultimate Boss) and not unto men.

“Perspective and understanding are essential. If I clean toilets or feed children at homeless shelters by sweeping 23 floors in 2 hours and standing on my feet to distribute food, but I am not doing it joyfully and from the heart; I have failed to perform "hard work" in the Lord's eyes. Just close your eyes and think about how hard you worked to get your child or significant other something. You may have even gone to the extent of taking a bus from Accra to Sunyani or called someone to get the person you love a gift.
What would make your audience say, "Wow, that was some hard work?" It would be the fact that you joyfully, sacrificially, and lovingly went through major inconveniences to ensure that they were happy. It was HEART work unto your child or significant other not HARD work. If the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; how much more, as His Servants and ambassadors on this Earth, should we accomplish tasks sacrificially and from the heart EVEN IF they have no direct impact on our purpose. On the bright side, remember Paul said count it all joy because situations in life build character in us? Well, if there is no direct impact on your purpose, guess what? It will still shape and prepare you in some way for events that will aid you in getting you to fulfill your destiny. You will become more like Christ. We must do it from the heart because we are doing it unto the Lord. Don't you want God to have your best? We don't think it's to God because our perspective hasn't changed. The understanding that EVERYTHING you do is for God will increase your motivation to have the state of mind (perspective) that you are doing it from your heart to make it hard work. You can't seem to find any joy in cleaning up after people in church? Well let your spirit accept that it's for Jesus. And HE, Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith is the only audience you need. HE will compensate you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think this unique perspective is one of the important pillars and evidence of HARD WORK.