“It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
– Psalm 127:2
When you work, who is doing the hard work? Is it you, yourself, and you? Or are you inviting and permitting the Lord to work through you? Do you work – in the office or in your field of ministry – relying on your abilities, knowledge, talents, and strengths? Or do you work in the Lord, filled with His Spirit, and letting Him shine through? Are you stressed about all the work you think you need to do? Are you work, work, working to the exclusion of spending time with loved ones, worshipping God, and serving the Lord? That isn’t the life God wants for you!
The first verse of this psalm explains that unless you’re letting God work through you, you’re wasting your time. As Jesus explained in John 15, apart from Him, you can’t do anything that ultimately matters or lasts for God’s Kingdom. Nothing. Of course, you can be very busy, impressing many people, and definitely building some things. But if God wasn’t ultimately the One working through you, those projects simply won’t have the impact you imagine. They won’t last the way you expect. And you’ll have worked much, much harder than you needed to, to the detriment of your health, happiness, spiritual life, and relationships.
God has infinitely more power and ability than you do. Invite Him to work through you. Devote meaningful time every day to fellowshipping with God as you read and meditate on Scripture and talk to Him in prayer. This isn’t wasted time that keeps you from working, this is the most important time of the day! Talk and listen for God’s quiet promptings and clear directions. Let God direct your priorities. Let Him give you clarity about how long to work on a particular task vs. devoting time to the needs of others vs. enjoying rest in Him vs. fellowshipping and worshipping with other believers.
Work hard, but work for God’s glory when you do. Pray when you work and about your work. Rest when God tells you to rest. Ask God to reveal His strength through your weakness rather than trying to hide your weakness. If you’re willing to truly submit your life, and your work, to God, He’ll give you the time and strength to do everything that truly needs to be done. He’ll give you peace about what you simply can’t do. He’ll work in ways you can’t and produce fruit beyond your abilities. #FollowJesus