It Takes Hard Work

Some people are dreamers they expect everything to get magically done for them, and then glory in what they supposedly achieved. They are just waiting for a little luck and the right golden opportunity to come up. The reality of life is that achievement takes effort, and too many people waste their lives sitting on their butts waiting for something to happen. Well, guess what? Nothing happens and they fritter their lives away waiting. God did not make us to be slackers. He made us for a purpose, and he wants us to get the job done. We may use many excuses as to why we do not do things, but the bottom line is that we are just too lazy, undisciplined or fearful to get the job done. As the Proverb states, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11). It takes self discipline and a focused purpose to get things done. Procrastination and lack of personal drive will never get us ahead in life. We need purpose and determination to get the job done.
Many people believe that spirituality is based totally on God’s will in life, and they wait for God to do something. Well, guess what? If God did everything himself, there would be no commandments in the Bible. God does not just say, “Sit there and I’ll look after everything.” No, he says, “Arise, go . . . . “ (Jonah 1:2). God expects some action from us! A passage in the Bible says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God does the preparation work; especially in his provision of Jesus Christ. He enables us and gives us the gifts and skills for the job. Then, he expects us to “walk in them.” He does not expect us to run, but to take one careful step after another. The world is like a minefield with many dangers, so we are not to act hastily but to progress with wisdom and knowledge. This requires practice and diligent hard work! God wants us to be like spiritual ants; self-directed, diligent and active – making the most of every opportunity that comes our way. Yes, there are times of rest and taking it easy, but most of all there is a time for hard work. We need to earn the leisure time. Let's not just be dreamers, but people of action and determination to achive the most we can with our lives.