In Creating the Future, we are called to be active participants, not sideline spectators. This means taking action. Initiative and leadership.

Passion fuels us towards our future, but if passion is the fuel, work ethic is the vehicle. Left on its own, passion is full of potential, but it cannot get us where we want to go.

The willingness to work hard gives us the traction we need on the road towards the future we envision. It takes us from an idea to a reality.

The Hard Work of Creating

A strong work ethic requires persistence, focus, and commitment, and honestly, it can lack excitement. In films, weeks, months, or years of hard work get chopped up and become a two-minute montage. It’s not the part of the story we want to watch, and sometimes I think we want our lives to be like the movies- where just two minutes of upbeat music stand between us and the future we imagine. The mundane parts of creating the future are often where the breakdown happens.  Even with talent and passion, without a solid work ethic, our vision of the future cannot be translated into reality with its full potential.

Ultimately, the unglamorous reality of a solid work ethic is that it requires something of you. It is through a consistent work ethic that, piece by piece, the tapestry of the future you’ve imagined comes into being.

When we talk about creating the future, “create” is an action verb. In creation, like an artist or a builder would, we make something that does not start out looking like much. But through initiative, we can shape and change these pieces into the final product.

The key here is consistency. Success requires a consistent work ethic and a continued commitment to the vision we have. Commitment and persistence both start with one thing: a willingness to do something difficult. Continuing to show up for this process consistently, even when its hard, has a compounding effect, and over time, big things can happen.

The Kingdom Value of Hard Work

Though it isn’t flashy, a solid work ethic honors God. A strong work ethic is the faithful stewardship of the talents and passions that we have been given. Scripture indicates that our day-in and day-out routines matters are a part of our spiritual lives. Work has been a part of God’s design for our lives since the garden, and scripture is rich with descriptions and wisdom on what a solid work ethic looks like as a part of the Christian life. “Look to the ant you sluggard…” Proverbs 6:6

When mustering up the discipline for hard work gets tough, it’s time to remember the passion and potential of your talent like we talked about in the previous posts. A vehicle can’t run on empty, and remembering the bigger picture of your dreams is a powerful energizer. When we forget our passion and focus too much on our work ethic, we run the risk of burnout. It is entirely possible to reach a point where you have made an idol of your work ethic, and it is not how we are meant to function.

What a Solid Work Ethic Isn’t

Just as important as defining what a hard work ethic is, let’s also take a minute to talk about what a hard work ethic isn’t by contrast. There are a few things out in the world that might look like a hard work ethic, but they aren’t sustainable or healthy in a way that leads to success. Here are a few things that work ethic isn’t (with a few caveats).

1. A hard work ethic isn’t pushing yourself to burnout.

     Collectively, we have a habit of glorifying busy. Maybe it’s partly a product of being connected all the time. The filling of our schedules becomes like an arms race to see who can do the most. Taking our cues from Scripture, though, there is something we can do to help ourselves avoid burnout. After doing more than any of us will ever do in six days, God introduced the idea of Sabbath into creation.

Sabbath creates a sustainable rhythm of work and rest for our lives. It allows us to keep our eyes fixed on the One who matters and to keep the main things the main things. In Sabbath, you take a break from creating to be re-created yourself. When we rest, our internal person is renewed. We were made for this rhythm. And no one else can do it on your behalf. Resting can be just as important a part of working as the work itself.

2. A hard work ethic isn’t the quantity of work output.

     What I mean by this boils down to the saying, “work smarter, not harder.” However, an important part of sustaining your work ethic is having the strategy to know when and how to use your resources well. Just because we participate in a lot of activity does not mean we produced something of value. You are only truly being productive when your work aligns with your ultimate goals.

The energy that our passion gives us can trigger a response of wanting to dive straight in. Like the last post talked about, passion can be a great thing, but it isn’t the only part of this formula we have. Taking some time to plan, to strategize, and to think things through can make all the difference in helping you work smarter. Just don’t stay in this planning stage so long that it becomes an excuse for not doing something.

3. A hard work ethic isn’t a fixed trait.

For the most part, the inclination to consistently work hard isn’t a natural trait for us. We seek the path of least resistance and even if we have a good work ethic one day, it might not necessarily last.

Rarely does hard work in and of itself allow us instant gratification. Regardless of wherever you currently stand with your ability to work hard, it’s an area in continual growth.

Do it in community:

As we enter into this process of creating the future, it is not something that we do alone, but rather in unity with others. We do not exist in a vacuum and we need accountability! Cultivating a strong work ethic begins with choosing not to rely solely on our own strength. It requires humility (a sneak preview of the next post in our series) to cultivate a solid work ethic, but with accountability and dependence on the Lord. Trustworthy community can and should have the voice in your life to help keep you accountable to creating the future God intends for you. Growing increasingly dependent on God not only creates a foundation of humility but allows us to do things that we are not capable of by ourselves.

What is the first concrete step you need to take to create the future you desire? When you think about your personal work ethic, what are some unhealthy habits that you need to watch out for? What does Sabbath look like for you?