Can You Enjoy Hard Work?

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes:

“I took pleasure in all my struggles.” Ecclesiastes 2:10.

Have you ever stopped in the middle of hard work and caught yourself enjoying it? A friend of mine was on the rowing team at Rutgers University and worked out so hard that throwing up was an everyday thing. And one day, it occurred to him that he loved it: he absolutely LOVED the rowing team, the hard work, the struggle. Have you been there?

I had a similar experience when we moved to the country. Every time I stepped out of the house to trim trees or mow or build fences or clear brush from fences—whatever it was—I realized I was loving it. I could have been lazy. I could have hated it and whined about staying inside reading books. But no, I loved it. I LOVED it. I still love it.

At my job yesterday something caused me to stop on the way out the door to lunch. I stepped back into my humble cubicle and prayed: “Thank you, God, for this job, this office, this desk and computer and all the good things that happen here. Thank you for work that is creative and challenging but not overwhelming or burdensome. Thank you for the pleasure and satisfaction of doing an honest day’s work.”

Have you ever felt that way? Can you join Solomon in “finding pleasure in struggles”? If not, think about the quarantine. Sometimes NOT working is so terrible, it makes you appreciate having work to do. Right?

Dear God, help us find pleasure in all our struggles. Help us be GRATEFUL for work. And help us always work hard and honor you—and do our work “as unto God rather than men.” We know that YOU are our real boss. Help us serve You well, whether working for ourselves, our parents, our teachers, or our jobs. Make us HARD WORKERS, and make us grateful. Thank you for honest, creative, challenging work. Help us to find pleasure in all our struggles, all our work, every day. We are here to serve You. We love you.

ΑΩ