I work hard. I have a tendency to try to do, as one of my friends says, “all the things.” She’s called me out on it; it’s the wrong approach to this life. God commands his people and his children to rest. If I’m not resting, I’m disobeying.
The temptation to work all the time remains. It is one of my constant struggles. It may always be. I know I have to fight it, not give it a toehold in my life. I have to war to rest just as I have to war for community and unity. The Christian life is not an easy one.
Perhaps that partially explains the horror and sadness I felt when I read Inc.’s article about Mark Cuban, Jeff Bezos, and other powerful leaders. Everything in me recoiled; everything said, “This is NOT the way. Don’t walk in it”; everything wept for an ideal that is not the ideal.
Man is not meant to work all the time. If he were, God wouldn’t have rested from creation or gone on walks with Adam and Eve in the cool of the garden. Each day was perfect, whole, and complete then. If God “interrupted” those days with walks, I ought to pay attention. He’s trying to tell me something about the nature of what’s good and what’s better. He’s attempting to wake me up to what really matters.
Early mornings, late nights, and weekends—ALL THE THINGS!—are not the ways to peace and satisfaction. They may bring money and success, but I wonder at the cost. Steve Jobs’ insane work ethic didn’t affect him only; he held staff meetings on Sunday nights. Mary Barra reportedly gave General Motors (GM) “everything she had.” Jeff Bezos worked seven days a week to get Amazon up and running.
Is it wrong that these people want to do well, that they want to exercise their talents? Not at all. I simply question the insane work ethic. It isn’t good or God-honoring to pour all my energy into work. While I am to work on my craft and grow up my talents, I am first and foremost to pour into God.
I am to engage his heart first because I work best out of a healthy soul. I become a blessing to others when I seek to honor the King with my life, talents, and gifts. I become equipped as I am reminded of who I am: a daughter with a good, good father who never leaves or forsakes me.
He will provide for me because I don’t have an insane work ethic, not because I do. He blesses those who trust in him, who come to him for their manna and water each and every day. Because of him, I will pursue a not-so-insane work ethic and war for the rest in him that I need, oh, so very much.