Working with All Your Heart

There are certainly a lot of ways to say it: work hard, do your best, grind it out, no pain-no gain, leave it all on field.  Hard work will get you noticed for sure.  It will probably get you money.  It might impress important people, or win you power and prestige.  Becoming and being a hard worker is something that our culture values.   At times in my life, I've been a very hard worker.  At other times, I've been downright slothful (that means lazy).


I'm going to tell you something that may be a surprise.  I don't really care if you become a hard worker.  Yes, you may need to read it again.  It doesn't matter to me whether or not you work hard, as long as you work with heart.  I would rather you be a heart worker.  What's the difference?  I'm not really sure that I can explain it.  But I know there is a big difference.  A man can be a hard worker, and not put his whole heart into his work.  "Put your back into it," or "Put some elbow-grease on it," they will say.  I say put you heart into it.  When you are a heart worker, working hard comes naturally.


I'm sure it has something to do with motivation.  It also has something to do with a purpose, a divine calling, a God-given passion.  Whatever you want to call it, you need to have a sense that you were made to do what you are doing.  That doesn't mean that you have to become a medical doctor and heal all the diseases in Africa (I'm mean only if you want to).  I man can do most anything and be a heart worker.  Welder, woodcutter, weatherman or waiter, it doesn't really matter.  Just do it with all your heart.


Hard work can lead to resentment.  Heart work leads to joy.
Hard work can lead to entitlement.  Heart work leads to generosity.
Hard work can lead to conflict.  Heart work leads to peace.
Hard work can lead to exhaustion.  Heart work leads to contentment.
Hard work can lead to regret.  Heart work leads to gratitude.


Find something that you were created to do, my son, and work at it with all your heart.  Then you will come to the end with a life's work well done, and not a life filled with hard labor.

Love,
Dad


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)