Doing the Hard Things

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:17-24 NIV)

It is the time of year when the vast majority of students are stressed out. Papers and projects are coming due and exams loom ahead.   Yet, the reality is, for many, much of this stress could be avoided.  The due dates for the projects and papers have long been known, but the work put off.  I know.  I was a student once.  Spending time with friends, watching movies, catching up on Facebook, hiking, playing sports, etc. replaces time spent in diligent study.  That is put off because it is so much easier to do the things we want to do rather than the things we have to do.  

Yet, with every role or vocation in life, there come responsibilities, whether you are a student, an employee, or a parent.  And many of these responsibilities are not easy or necessarily enjoyable.  Yet, to be successful, they must be fulfilled and done well.  And if we have to live a life full of responsibilities, it would help to find some joy in them as well.  So in a world where most people complain about the demands on their lives at school, work, and home, and often do the least possible to get by, where do we find the motivation to do our best and how do we experience joy in fulfilling the responsibilities given us?

Paul has the answer—doing everything as if we were doing it for the Lord.  Is it studying?  Do it as if the Lord is your professor.  Is it your job?  Do it as if the Lord is your boss.  Is it as a parent?  Do it as if you were raising the Lord Himself.  

What strikes me in this passage is all the things Paul lists are hard things.  Husbands in the 1st Century were normally harsh with their wives because women were viewed as second-class citizens.  Women and slaves who accepted the Gospel with all of its freedom and equality were being asked to continue to submit to their husbands and masters. Children were being asked to obey their parents.  Hard things indeed.

Paul knew the only way we could fulfill the responsibilities of this life successfully and in a way that honors the Lord is to put Him at the center of all we do.  He must be the motivation to do the hard things of life.  

Today, whatever responsibilities you have in life, put the Lord at the center of them.  Fulfill them as if you are carrying them out for Him.  In this way, hard things become a bit easier and a bit more enjoyable.

© Jim Musser 2015