I was showing my newly remodeled home with its majestic ocean view to someone the other day and he told me that I was “lucky”. I looked at him and told him that the harder that I work the “luckier” I get. After thinking it through, I have decided it is more than hard work, but it is definitely not luck. I have combined hard work with blessings from God.
I have been blessed with a good wife, and family, and financial stability due to a great career; however it has taken hard work to keep my marriage strong and to raise my children to be happy Christians and to provide them with a college education. I have been blessed with some talent in regard to my business capabilities, but it has taken hard work to build a successful business. I have been blessed with a strong faith in God, but it has taken hard work including prayer, attending church and much Bible study to achieve it.
I believe that too many Christians do not understand that blessings from God cannot be fully realized without hard work and effort on our parts. Most seem to think that blessings are just a one – way street and consist of a “gift shower” from heaven. I do not believe that. I think that it is a partnership with God. He provides us with the means and abilities, but we must utilize our gifts from there and meet Him halfway.
We must also sacrifice our time and have a strong work ethic. Successful marriages do not just “happen”. It takes effort for two people to have a successful marriage. Raising kids who love the Lord, are happy, and successful takes effort on their parent’s part. The same is true with a career. I do not care how intelligent you are or how many talents that God has blessed you with, it will take hard work to make those gifts and blessings bloom. There are plenty of talented people who are just too lazy to succeed.
Luck is akin to hitting the lottery. I do not know about you, but I have never hit the lottery, and I seriously doubt that I ever will. Hard work combined with the gifts that the lord has blessed you with will get you where you want to go…
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.