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.
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.
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