Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24, NASB)
During the second round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, I watched in amazement as Tiger Woods grinded on every shot on the back nine to make the cut. He approached each shot with such intensity that one might have thought he was leading the tournament.
Even when it appeared a birdie on the last hole would not be enough, Tiger was still fully engaged and focused on getting the best possible score. He absolutely refused to hit a careless shot.
When the Apostle Paul told the Colossians to do their work heartily, he used the Greek word we translate as “psyche,” which refers to the inner life, the heart, and the mind. “Psyche” is more than one’s heart; it encompasses one’s soul, one’s entire being.
Doing one’s work heartily, then, means being engaged mentally in one’s work instead of working while thinking of what one would rather be doing. It means having one’s soul invested in achieving the outcome one’s work demands. And it means being engaged emotionally and enthusiastically in one’s labor.
What King Jesus demands from Christians is nothing less than being fully and soulfully engaged in one’s work. That should tell us something about the importance of work in the kingdom of God. Work is not a second-rate activity we have to do, so we can afford to do the things we want to do. God is a worker, and we are created in His image. We were created to work.
When God first reveals himself to us in Genesis 1, he is working. When the Lord placed Adam in the garden, he gave him work. See Genesis 2:15. Jesus said, “My Father is working until now, and I too Myself am working.” John 5:17. When Jesus completed His work, He said to the Father, “I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do.” John 17:4. When we are working, we are manifesting the image of God.
And if all this seems too hypothetical or theological, here’s how to make it practical. Next time you are at work, and you find yourself not fully engaged in what you are doing, just take a moment and think of Tiger Woods grinding to make the cut at the U.S. Open, and then get back to work and refuse to hit a careless shot.
Prayer: Lord, help me glorify you in my work by being the worker you created me to be. Amen.