Proverbs 31.18-19
“She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.”
The Lord calls us to skillful work, and the godly woman of Proverbs provides an example. The people of God should be skillful workers. Note what Paul writes in Ephesians 2.10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
The “good works” for which the Lord created you include the work you do every day at your job. Since the Lord designed the work week and has commanded us to work six days and rest on the seventh, our daily work is an integral part of his plan for us.
In order to be effective at any job, it is necessary to be disciplined in learning and applying attributes that God makes available to you. It means that you…
- Act with character and integrity.
- Set goals, develop plans, and execute.
- Think, make decisions, and solve problems.
- Adjust and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Be resilient and persistent to overcome obstacles.
- Manage your emotions.
- Communicate, listen, and collaborate with others.
- Learn, grow, and develop skill.
These attributes are available to you because you are made in the image of God. They are necessary disciplines for doing work and doing it well. They are essential for living and working in the real world of cause-and-effect that God has created. All of the characteristics the Lord has designed into our life are needed in order to fulfill his command to do work and do it well.
Do not settle for mediocrity. Do not get stuck on the mountain of average. Pursue excellence with relentless faith in the God who saved you and called you to himself.
