ONE: FCA Reading Plan For CompetitorsSample

Work Hard

By Rebekah Trittipoe

READY: 

“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!” – Proverbs 14:23

SET: 

A multi-sport athlete in high school and college, I was accustomed to working hard and striving for excellence. I was a leader. I was that kid who went to extremes not to disappoint a coach. A true competitor, I led the charge and never looked back.

What caught me off guard was this. It was the fall of 1977, and I was playing college field hockey. My position was out on the right wing, placed there because of my speed. Few players on any team could outrun me, but on this particular day, the ball was stolen from me. Of course, my job was to pursue with fury. But to this very day, I distinctly remember just jogging to catch up. That had NEVER happened before. It was like I was in a trance; perhaps a slow-motion dream. And then. . .

“TRITTIPOE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!?” My coach was screaming from the sidelines! In all my athletic years, I had never failed so miserably in effort. I was mortified! And that’s all it took. The afterburners lit, and I caught my opponent, tackled back and played feverishly the rest of the game—and season. 

Reading through Romans 16, I’m amazed to see the value of hard work so highly commended. Paul asked that Mary be greeted as a woman “who has worked so hard for your benefit.” A few verses later, he scribes, “Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord” (Romans 16:6, 12).

There are many other character traits that can be lauded, but the fact remains, hard work is admirable. Be intentional. Be an example.

GO: 

1. Why is hard work important for Christ-followers?

2. Can hard work become sin if taken to extremes? 

WORKOUT: 

1 Corinthians 4:12

2 Corinthians 11:23

1 Thessalonians 2:9

1 Thessalonians 5:12

OVERTIME: 

“God, Help me work hard so that all glory reflects back to You.”