When we put effort into something, when we work really hard, we can achieve so much more than when we don’t try. Whether that’s with exams, our job or relationships, hard work pays off. Sometimes we may start something with loads of energy and passion, only to become discouraged and stop working hard towards achieving what we set out to do. Maybe we didn’t see the progress we were hoping for, or maybe nobody recognised the hard work we were putting in. But the Bible tells us: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’ (Colossians 3:23 NIV). When we think we’re working for humans, it’s easy to become discouraged and to decide to not give it our all. But when we remember we’re working for God, whatever our task is, we want to give everything we’ve got. Another problem we can face is when we work too hard is burn out and then we can’t do anything. God’s not asking us to work ourselves to the point where we become ill. There’s a line between working to the best of our abilities, and making ourselves ill, and we need to be careful that we’re not crossing that line. Even if our projects or work are for really good causes, we need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves too. Even Jesus needed rest and recognised that we need rest too. He told the disciples: ‘“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat’ (Mark 6:31 ESV). So, we need to make sure we’re putting our all into whatever task we’re doing, but also resting too so that we don’t burn out.
