You oughtn’t to hate work. Hard work makes for what I reckon you like in a man, but don’t understand. As I look back over my life…what I remember most an’ feel best over are the hardest jobs I did an’ those that cost the most sweat an’ blood.”
–Zane Grey (The Mysterious Rider)
“I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.”
–Psalm 119:94 (NLT)
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I wrote some about those who dream and may have a dream, but that’s as far as it goes. It is one thing to have a dream, even one that God has given, and another thing to work so that it comes to pass. Perhaps that is why I enjoy the Winter Olympics so much. These are individuals who had a “dream” and worked hard, exceptionally hard to try to fulfill that dream. Any of those in the Olympics, whether they win or not have fulfilled that dream, for they made it to the Olympics.
“I miss it a lot. I miss the lifestyle. I miss the constant grind and struggle and I know that sounds kind of wild but there is a real sense of value and purpose when you are training for an Olympic games obviously. It is very specific and your results are given to you on a daily basis.”
–Apolo Ohno
Notice the words, the “constant grind and struggle.” Hard work is required. The purest form of natural joy is fulfillment of a job that took hard work. Yet today, there are so many that shirk away from hard work. Those who have the “give-me” attitude will never know the satisfaction of what it is to earn something.
I hated those assignments when I had to work with those that wanted to sponge off me, or the group. Those that did not want to do their share. Those individuals are perhaps the ones that rate the lowest in my list of people. The Bible calls them shirkers or sluggards; those who want to just get by, those who do not understand the price and value of sacrifice.
Become what the Lord has for you, but realize that it will take hard work. “But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.” (Matthew 24:13, HCSB)
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Ponder This: My personal method to abide in peace, Dave Roever:
1) Stop watching the news on television. Don’t buy the lies.
2) Lighten the work load by working smarter not harder.
3) Enjoy your family time.
4) Worship the Lord and give Him praise.
5) Read the Word of God until it speaks to you!
6) Oh, and laugh! Yes, laugh more and gripe less!