Work, work, work, work, work, work
What does it mean to work hard?
I, like many others, have been ravenously consuming Korean content recently. In watching Korean dramas and variety shows, I have come across three men that I truly admire. One thing they have in common? Their work ethic. One thing that, not only their fans, but their colleagues compliment them on? Their work ethic. These men are not afraid to put in long hours, to devote themselves to their craft and to do what others may deem unnecessary to excel in their endeavors.
I've been reading through Proverbs this month. Check out a few verses from the first couple chapters on working hard and its alternative, being lazy:
"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones...though they have...no ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?...A little extra sleep...a little folding of the hands to rest - then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber."
Proverbs 6:6-11 NLT
"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."
Proverbs 12:24 NLT
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper."
Proverbs 13:4 NLT
The ants are wise. They work hard now in preparation for what's to come - without being told. I admit, the first two verses I mentioned - and lots more - made me pause and reflect but Proverbs 13:4 really stopped me in my tracks. For years, I have said several things I want: to be fluent in Spanish, to play the guitar and piano, to be in better shape, to have community...the list goes on but just wanting gets me nowhere. My desires must be followed with action.
Just wanting gets me nowhere.
"Lazy people want much but get little." What do you want out of life? Are you putting in the work to obtain it or are you simply wanting, wishing, even praying, without action? As if someone will just hand it to you on a silver platter?
No more.
Lazy people are in bondage. Lazy people are ill-prepared for the future. Lazy people do not get their hearts desire.
We must work hard. We must show up when we don't feel like it. We must be comfortable with being uncomfortable; being stretched more than we would like. We must not be afraid of looking silly or ridiculous for taking the extra step or going the extra mile. At times, we may even need to sacrifice. We all have 24 hours in a day. We all have one life. As they say, life is too short to live with regrets.
Let's commit to not being lazybones but being people who are not afraid of challenges, people who don't see failures as setbacks but as, "I haven't achieved/learned/understood this yet," situations...people who are willing to work hard to prosper in life.
With love,
Chelsea