Work Ethic. God has been talking to me a lot about the self-discipline and tenacity required to complete in life. At the Yes and Amen retreat we discussed that a work ethic is a “set of guiding principles that we live by,” a set of beliefs, if you will. This can be a good thing or a bad thing.

If you believe you are 100% responsible for your choices and actions, your work ethic is  good. If you think believe that someone else will take care of you and rescue you from your own laziness or lack of boundaries, or lack or desire, your work ethic is not so good.

Before you spiral out of control in a complaint that life is not supposed to be “performance based,” hear me out. Your beliefs determine your actions. Therefore, your “work” ethic effects  your job but it also parallels how you do relationships, emotions, personal physical care, and even your God life.

What are you “willing” to do to invest and impact your own future? If you are waiting for “feeling” like it, you are waiting on the wrong motivator. Your feelings are not in charge. Your Will is the engine of your life.

“Self discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” Elbert  Hubbard

Don’t think that life with God is devoid of work and effort. He is always happily, creatively working and wants us to join in what He is doing. He created us to create, produce and yield a harvest in many different ways.  We ourselves are fortified when we put effort and energy into a task. Whether that is family, work, or friend related, our creative power matters to others and it matters to our own heart.

Ask anyone who has been out of work for a long time. There is this slow leak of of dignity because we innately know we were made to be working and contributing to the world and God’s Kingdom.  Proverbs 28:19 says, “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

Are you talking or are you doing your life?  Are you completing and fulfilling and what you have been told to do, what you yourself have promised to do? Or are you chasing the fantasy that someone else will pick up the slack?

Stop the drama. The excuses. The blame. The chatter.
Just get it done…