Do the Work
I have a confession: I’m envious of my friend Carla’s beautiful legs.
They’re everything mine are not: long, tan, and fit. I know Carla’s beautiful legs can partially be attributed to God’s creation.
But there’s something more to those enviable legs: Carla’s commitment to hours of training at the gym and miles logged on the open road, as she commits to being a runner.
So what about you? Ever feel envious? What about in the ministry arena? We know we shouldn’t, but sometimes deep down inside we might have those little twinges. As I see my cohorts’ ministries growing, I celebrate with them as they expand the reach of the Gospel with their writing and speaking. But I’ve also felt twinges of envy at another speaker’s moving message or an author’s best-selling book.
Behind that success, though, just like Carla’s fit and toned legs are a product of hours of sweat I don’t personally witness, the same happens with my ministry friends.
There’s a behind the scenes world I don’t witness.
I don’t witness the times that speaker prepared her talk for several months, only to speak to an audience of ten when she thought it would be 75. Or the times she serves in her local church teaching women’s Bible study, week after week, year after year.
I don’t see the writer tucking her kids into bed, weary from her day, but staying up till midnight to hone her craft. I don’t see the rejection letters hidden in a drawer, producing doubts and discouragement.
So, dear friends, we, too, have to do that behind the scenes work. If we want to be writers, we have to write. If we want to be speakers, we have to speak. Wherever and whenever God gives us a chance.
We do the work.
This phrase “do the work” is found in 1 Chronicles 28:20. David encourages his son Solomon as Solomon is faced with the seemingly insurmountable task of rebuilding the temple:
“’Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.’”
God is with Solomon, but Solomon must do the work.
Just like us.
Such a great reminder as I’m sitting alone in front of my computer! It IS easy to be discouraged or afraid as I think of all the hard work in front of me in the areas of both speaking and writing. The temptation is to get overwhelmed instead of just tackling the next right thing. Thanks for this encouragement that David first gave to Solomon!
Starting a small business has shown me how much behind the scenes work there is! As I dedicate myself to this work each day, I am starting to see the results. Thank you for this reminder and message!
I love this! It’s easy to see he product but there is so much behind the scenes that no one sees. Very encouraging and so true.. Hard work produces results.
No matter, small business, real estate, being a college grad – losing ten pounds! Always we have to do the work. Praying you will do the work calls you to just for today. And then the next….
Phillipians 2: 13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.
Being a Christian is hard. If it is easy, than chances are you are not putting in the effort and obedience that God requires. Melanie’s message is a simple message, but requires action. With no action, the world never sees the light and the hope you have in Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 15But in your hearts revere Christ as LORD. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Thank you for the good word, and I will pass it along.