Hardly Working

Seasons

We have all heard the question, “Are you working hard or hardly working?” The reality is that our modern lives are always busy even when not much profitable work is being accomplished. But most of us probably do go through seasons with both our employment and our home lives where the load ebbs and flows. For you it may correspond with certain times of the year or a specific stage of life, but even if you find yourself in one of those time periods that is overwhelming and exhausting it is important to remember that this will pass soon enough.

FOMO

Do you ever deal with a fear of missing out? Well, let me encourage you not to miss the blessing of your hectic and busy schedule. Consider the blessings that are making it so busy. 

If you are busy because of a demanding load at a job that you enjoy and that provides for you and your family then be glad you have the opportunity not only to work but to do so as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Of course, it is possible to sinfully put work in a priority that it doesn’t deserve but if we are simply working faithfully then we should be thankful for the strength and the work.

If you are busy because of the needs of children, whether the needy hands of infants and toddlers or the energetic lives of teenagers, be glad for the blessing of God that those image bearers are. The Bible is replete with the reality of the blessing children are for their parents at every stage of life. Children are a blessing in our youth (Psalm 127:2-4) and even when we are old (Proverbs 17:6).

If you are busy because of certain trails that God has allowed to enter your life through His loving and providential hands then I would urge you to recognize that He has a purpose. There are many purposes in this that you cannot now see, but that will ultimately be for your good and His glory (Romans 8:26-28).

If you are busy because God is blessing your family or career or ministry with some success then praise God for this season of growth and success. We must remember with humility that the growth is from the Lord’s blessing and glory is the Lord’s glory. The labor of love in which we are engaged is not something we have to do but rather something that we get to do (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)!

Hard Things

But what if your labors are the consequence of sin? First of all, it is possible that you are suffering some trials that are the natural and necessary consequences of your own sinful behavior, attitude, or lifestyle. If this is the case, even if you have repented you must remember that this trail is not punitive but redemptive. What I mean is that God is not punishing you for your sin. Jesus took all the punishment for believers' sins but He is disciplining you for your growth and maturity (Hebrews 12:3-14).

It is also possible that you are bearing a burden because of how someone else has sinned against you. The reality is that there is no help in holding on to resentment or bitterness for this only makes the load harder to bear. Instead, we must cast these cares also on the Lord trusting His promise that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-11).

So as we enter this labor day weekend let me encourage you to rest yourself in the Lord and enjoy the love, peace, and hope that only He can give (Hebrews 4:9-11)!

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