It is good to work hard. We were literally created for it: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Jesus embodied this in His own incredible work ethic, and His apostles likewise made it a priority to set a personal example of working (cf. Jn. 5:18, 2 Thess. 3:6-12). Yet while some of us do work very hard, we often aren’t doing it the way God intended because we aren’t working with Him.
That’s what “the Preacher” describes in Ecclesiastes 2:20-23: “So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.” Bleak, isn’t it? That’s real life. We can easily work ourselves to death with nothing to show for it when our work is just about ourselves: providing for our needs, achieving our goals.
God wants more for us. Just listen to Solomon’s Psalm 127: “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps. 127:1). We are meant to work with God. When He is the reason for everything we do, it gives our work eternal significance. Regardless of titles, pay, or recognition, our work always matters when we do it for Him.
What’s more, working with God also means resting with Him. Solomon continues, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep” (Ps. 127:2). When you work with God, you can give your best and then stop, because your best really is enough for Him. You don’t have to run yourself ragged, tossing and turning all night worried over the day behind or ahead. You can sleep, knowing that God loves you. He was with you in the day before, giving more meaning to your efforts than they’d ever have otherwise. He will be with you in the day ahead, providing exactly what you need.
So, work hard and rest easy: God’s got you.
Are you tired? Learn from Jesus how to rest, and you will be restored. This is your invitation to find Rest and Restoration.