Put In the Work Today

“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” John 9:4 NLT

I learnt the value of time from childhood. My parents never ceased to ensure we spent our time wisely. They always gave us something to do, all in the bid to ensure we weren’t idle.

My mum who was a teacher would bring these thick novels home for us and we’d just drown in them. We’d paint, draw and build whatever. Most of the time, we made our toys. Even watching a movie was an activity because we knew our dad would sometimes ask us to share lessons learned from what we watched.

Playtime with neighbours only came into the picture when there was a reason or if they decided to have mercy on us after we must have ticked everything off our to-do list. Idleness wasn’t an option.

Even though now, I have the luxury of watching a movie without giving a 100-word report to anyone, or just viewing memes for 30 minutes straight without feeling like my mum would peep in anytime, the value of time hasn’t left me.

This is part of why I feel guilty when I waste a large amount of time doing everything else asides from the actual work. But the truth is a period has been set aside so we all can do whatever work we are called to do.

Ironically, we say life is short but subtly believe we will live on earth forever. So for many, there is no sense of urgency and intentionality. Execution gets dragged and excuses become the order of the day. There’s always a reason why something couldn’t, shouldn’t, or wouldn’t be done.

You may not know what tomorrow brings, but you know today because you’re in the present. Today is an opportunity for you to use those gifts and talents with the time available.

God’s purpose is supreme and the fact remains that if you don’t put in the work, He will find someone else to do it.

Whatever your hands find to do, do it intentionally. It may not be what you desire to do now, but by constantly asking Him for clarity, showing up at your duty post, and opening up your heart to answers, you’ll eventually find it.

And I hope that when you do, you’ll put in the work.