Are You Ready To Do Great Work?

“I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down.” Nehemiah 6:3 MSG

When you’re striving towards nothing, others will give you something to strive for, and this may have nothing to do with what you should be doing with your time. When you don’t see what you do as important, you’ll find something else to make important, even if it’s a distraction.

I’ve realised that the value you place on something will define the value that others place on it, whether they like it or not. People will try to test that value and push the boundaries that you have set. But your inner conviction will determine how you respond to such situations.

To Nehemiah, he was doing something that no one could pull him away from, regardless of who they were. Even though he knew the intent of those that didn’t like what he was doing, he didn’t have the time to entertain their distractions.

How do you know you’re doing great work? There are several factors to consider, but I’ll point out two that I regard as most important.

1. When you feel a sense of fulfilment

Nehemiah received a letter that placed a burden on his heart, but at this time, he had not regarded this new mission as great work. It was still something to explore. However, upon starting, he became convinced that building the wall was what he should be doing in that season.

Are you doing what you should be doing right now? It doesn’t have to be something on a global scale. If it brings fulfilment when you do it, that’s something worth concentrating on, whatever it may be.

2. When you’re contributing to the life of at least one person

You’re not on earth for yourself. You’re not here to get all the accolades and gather all the wealth so you can be buried in an expensive coffin on planet Mars. Your neighbour needs your help.

Whether you’re impacting one person, ten people or an entire generation, contribution is a vital part of doing great work. Why? Because when you stand and tell naysayers that you’re doing something great, you want at least one person to say the same thing. This can be your child, a co-worker, a member of your community, or a virtual connection you have never met. That is validation.

Define the value you place on everything you do in life. Define what great work means to you and strive daily to keep at it. Some days may not look so great but just continue at it. With time, you’ll also be able to say, “I’m doing a great work, I can’t come down”.