Is it easier to think about other people who don’t work hard than acknowledge the times we don’t? For me, I know when I’m engaged in a project and loving it I honestly couldn’t work harder—I’m at it every moment I can. Other times, I can be a bit of a slacker. Rather than make excuses or cover up, lately I’ve considered the reasons for it. Most often it because I’m overwhelmed or afraid (or both). I procrastinate. Mostly I end up doing it, of course, but it would have been less difficult if I had paced myself!

Do you want to be known as a hard worker? Leaving aside illness or other genuine reasons, do you ever not work as hard as you should? If so, can you unpack why? Can you think of times you have been like Downs’ intern in today’s devotional? How do you feel about the results of things that come from hard work, compared to the results of things that came more easily?

I believe it’s important to rest—the sabbath is God’s own invention, after all—but I also believe we should put our whole selves into what we do. Jesus worked at just the right pace and did all he came to do and took just the right amount of time with God and also rested appropriately. I still love the ‘work heartily’ scripture from Colossians 3:23. Let’s be known for working heartily.