Hard work is overrated.
Don’t misunderstand me. I know the value of earnest application. After all, it’s the hand of the diligent that maketh rich (Proverbs 10:4).
Attaching diligent hands to your heartfelt desires is essential.
But “work well”, not “work hard”, is a much better way to describe today’s steering principle.
Working well speaks of the convergence of calling and career.
The overlap of vocation and occupation.
Of the curse, the Bible says:
“Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:17–19 KJV)
But thank God,
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13)
“Sweat and sorrow” is no longer part of our job description!
The transformative power of grace plants us back in a garden of creative possibility.
If you want to get “busy” follow this directive…
“For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.” (Ecclesiastes 5:20 NKJV)
And if you choose to strive:
“Let us therefore strive to enter rest” (Hebrews 4:11 ESV)
Easy said I hear you say.
Absolutely.
But setting your destination begins the journey toward that end.
As the Lord instructed me at the beginning of this year, “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
Punch into your spirit the end result. That’s how faith works.
“God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17 NIV)
🧭 “Quiet life”
🧭 “Rest”
🧭 “Busy with joy”
From this place of joy, peace, and unhurried pace you will produce abundant fruit.
So today’s steering principle is simply, “Work well, not hard”.
Next time, the forgotten key to multiplied productivity.