I am a visual learner. I like to watch and take note in my mind of how to do something well. This is great, but can also lead me into seeing an example and following that example…yet not really thinking about the “why” behind it. With that being said, what does it mean to be a hardworking woman of God? It is very easy to look at the women around us and define them as hardworking women- as many are! But then how easy it is to compare ourselves to them and realize we can’t do everything they can do. This leaves us feeling discouraged. When we are discouraged, we tend to just throw in the towel and give up. As women of God, we are called to work hard, so instead of first looking to others around us, we need to look to God’s Word to know how we can do the work we have been given to do and why we should it excellently to the glory of God.
A common (but wonderful!) example of a hardworking woman of God is the woman in Proverbs 31. At first, we can read about all she does and think to ourselves “how does she do it all?!” She works delightfully with her hands, clothing her family, making food, tending to the field, and even supplying the tradesmen with belts. She is knowledgeable, wise, and strong. This is no doubt a hardworking woman. Although what makes her a hardworking woman of God is why she is doing this work. At the end of the passage, verse 30 says “but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” The fear of the Lord is what drives her to work hard in all that she does. Everything is from God, she delightfully takes the work He has set before her and works hard to His glory.
We are quick to do the work that brings praise to ourselves since work is oftentimes something that can be seen by others. But we need to remember who we are working for, Colossians 3:23-24 says “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” What a great challenge and encouragement for us! God gives us work to do, He gives us the ability to do it, and He gives us an even greater reward than any man could give.
How do we work hard?
What does this look like?
Working hard will look different for many women and many seasons of life. In all of our work, we need to do it with the mindset that this is for God’s glory. For those of you in school this may mean doing your school work whole-heartedly, not just to the minimum to pass or to get it done quickly. For wives, doing the the mundane tasks to the best of your ability and even seeking to grow in how to do them more efficiently. This is also a huge help to your husband. For the women who are single, doing good work in the workplace and being a help to your coworkers.
Maybe in your free time you can be building relationships and teaching women younger than you as Titus 2 calls us to do. We all have someone younger than us that we can share our wisdom with. For mothers this may be working hard to be consistent in training and teaching your child(ren). The fruit of godly offspring is something our God delights in! There are many in-betweens and overlaps to these examples, but this goes to show that hard work doesn’t have to be as “industrious” as it sounds. Do the work that the Lord has given you, in the season you are in right now, whole heartily, for God’s glory and He will surely reward you for it.
Let’s be hard-working women of God. May we grow in fear of the Lord and come along side each other to encourage one another in our work. Seek wisdom and practical tips from women who have already been in the season you are in. If you see someone working hard, encourage them and give them praise for it! Let’s spur each other on! I encourage you to find great joy in working hard for the Lord. It is a wonderful thing to serve an awesome and holy God.
Love,
Lexie
