Everything You Want

Everything you want is on the far side of hard work. ~ Tim Kennedy

In our quick fix, fast food, instant download society, it is easy to forget the value of hard work. I like to watch YouTube in the afternoons while I sit with kids who are trying (not) to nap, and I often see the videos that promise the effortless way to success - whatever that success may be - a perfect body, a padded bank account, or a happy relationship. The key seems to be that it's easy or effortless. No stress, no worry, just an easy jaunt into success.

But in reality, life does not work that way. Yes, there are sometimes ways to simplify and streamline the process but work, usually hard work, is still necessary. And this is not a bad thing. Hard work is good.

I made a search for Bible verses that address the subject of work and yes, the Bible has plenty to say about this. I also found some quotes about work that really hit home so I included them as well.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and care for it. ~ Genesis 2:15

Even from the beginning, in a perfect world, work was part of the equation. I find this very interesting. We were created with a purpose and given work to do from the beginning of time. The need to act with purpose, to have a goal and to succeed is embedded in our DNA.

Those who work their land have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. ~ Proverbs 12:11

As in the story Acres of Diamonds most of the time the work we need to do is right in front of us. We do not have to chase a fantasy or find a glamorous opportunity, we need to work the land, dig the ground, right in front of us. Faraway success will not happen until there is success in your own back yard.

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. ~ Proverbs 12:24

A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. ~ Proverbs 13:4

It's easy to complain and put the blame for our problems on those who are better off than us. We think they've just had a much easier time than we have. We claim that if we had the opportunities that someone else had, we would be much better off. But I doubt the truth of that claim. I know that when I have been tempted to think that way, but then taken an honest look at myself, there were many things I could have done differently to get a better result. Diligence is not always fun. Diligence requires commitment and persistence.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. ~ Proverbs 14:23

We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~ Thomas A. Edison

Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and I will sometimes take a month and read one chapter each day. It has the perfect number of chapters for a 31-day month. It is so full of wisdom and these verse from Proverbs are no exception. The writer of the book of Proverbs does not mince words and has no fear of offending. He is direct and wise and does not leave one wondering as to the meaning of his words. Work is good, laziness is not. Hard work brings reward, chasing fantasies is foolish and leads only to disappointment.

Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ambition is often heralded as the key to success. And while it is certainly a vital component. It is not the only, or even the most important, component. Regardless of the intensity of the ambition, nothing will replace the hard work that goes into realizing that ambition.

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. ~ Williiam James

I've tried hard in life is to not complain about anything that I am not willing to work to change. Complaining only leads to more negativity in a situation that is already less than ideal. Instead, take action, even a simple small action in the right direction is much better than sitting still and complaining.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. ~ Colossians 3:23

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. ~ Proverbs 16:3

These two verses remind us that God is interested in our work; He wants to reward us for our work. So, while our work brings us reward, we also receive favor from Him when we bring Him into the equation to work with us. When we work not only for ourselves but as representatives of Him, He enters into the work with us and the results become more than we could have dreamed.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hand for us - yes, establish the work of our hands. ~ Psalm 90:17

To learn more about why I write, and why I share my life here, please read this post - Uniquely You, For a Purpose.