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The urban dictionary classifies a hacker as: as someone who strictly pursues creature comforts through completely legal means that while frustrating to others; allow him to live his best life.
We are all hackers looking for shortcuts or ways to do things which are less stressful and more comfortable.
<need some examples of life hacks>
Life is hard enough so finding the fastest way to, or through, the obstacles of life seems like an appropriate subject in this covid reality we have found ourselves in.
So over the last month, we have been sharing simple shortcuts to help you live your best life. We offered hacks on scripture, finances, relationship, parenting/leadership, purpose. And this week we conclude with another simple but not easy shortcut surrounding what we do and who we are.
Three great quotes to help us come from MLK jr, Albert Einstein and everybody’s favorite reformer - Martin Luther
If a man is called a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and Earth will pause to say, ``Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” ? Martin Luther King Jr.
“Three rules of work: 1. Out of clutter, find simplicity. 2. From discord, find harmony. 3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ? Albert Einstein
What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. - Martin Luther
Work is not a matter of “if” but what, when and how for anyone who considers himself a follower of Jesus.
John Calvin once said, “There is no work, however vile or sordid, that does not glisten before God.”
Many in America, and the western world, work to create a nest egg to retire to do what they desire. However, this entire idea is unbiblical. Retirement is not in the scriptures. It doesn’t exist. We were not created to sit around. We were created to do the work of the one who created us.
I will never forget the first church I pastored. I took a part time position and worked some 50 hours a week. It was a hard labor of love. One of the moments that will forever be etched in my mind, is the moment a dear older woman, maybe in her 70’s looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m done. I did everything in the church that has been asked of me for 50 years. It’s someone else's turn.” I was stunned that a person who professed Jesus with her lips and had obviously served in the church would ever utter those words aloud. I wanted to ask where she read the idea but I didn’t. I stood there in the leadership meeting dumbfounded - silent. It’s a moment I regret,
We are never done serving the Lord until you’re pushing up daisies or the Lord returns. Sabbath is allowed. Rest is important. But we are never done.
Genesis 2 tells of God near the end of creating the earth and the heavens, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Now along these lines, if God worked to create something beautiful, aren’t we, who are made in his image, to do the same? I believe all who call him “abba father” should continue his work until our very last breath. If you doubt me, jump down to verse 15:
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
From the beginning, God's original intent was for mankind to work and enjoy the opportunity to serve Him through our stewardship of the created order. He thought of everything, created it and then gave man the opportunity to experience the joy of caring for and harvesting all that was there.
Herein lies the greatest hack of our life. Tim Keller says it best:
A job is a vocation only if someone else calls you to do it for them rather than for yourself. And so our work can be a calling only if it remains as a mission of service to something beyond merely our own interests. Thinking of work mainly as a means of self-fulfillment and self-realization slowly crushes a person.
This may be the reason we are reminded in Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
To help everyone live the dream of being in the service of the Lord, Scripture teaches us:
1. Start today, the night before
Anyone who reads through Genesis 1 notices the phrase “and there was evening, and there was morning – the 1st (2nd, 3rd, etc) day”.
Is this just some bizarre Hebrew poetry, or is there reasoning behind the “evening” being mentioned before the “morning”? This is a question that scholars and scientists still debate.
However, from a productivity perspective, it makes perfect sense. The way you spend your evening has a profound influence on your productivity the following day.
Your day’s productivity is largely based on the decisions you make the evening before.
2. The second great work hack is to “Keep the Sabbath”
If God rested when he was done what makes us think we shouldn’t. It’s probably the reason God gave it to Moses as the 4th of the Ten Commandments. He knew we would be too driven by our wants that he needed to demand us to: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
It’s common knowledge that the most productive people are those who take time off and manage their time wisely. .
According to recent studies and one mention in a Wired blog, the most productive people work less than 40 hours a week.
Science supports the theory of rest so make an effort to take time off from work to rest, relax, and reflect, and your productivity will increase.
3. The third work hack is to “stay focused on the positive”
Philippians 4:3 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
It may be common knowledge, but it’s worth repeating: the more we focus on the positive, the more energy we have to achieve the tasks we face on a daily basis.
Being positive/grateful maximizes our productivity when we realize that life is about something greater than ourselves. For many, that means remembering that “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).
4. The fourth work hack is not to “Just Talk but Do”
Proverbs has a plethora of great thoughts worth mentioning, one of which is found in chapter 14:23, which states, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty”. (Proverbs 14:23)
One thing I’ve discovered over the years is that everyone can dream of a cool idea but very few people are willing to put in the necessary work to figure out ways around the obstacles to make the future a reality.
It doesn’t matter how long you talk, until you start to work, your idea is worthless.
5. The fifth work hack is: Treat Others with Respect
As Jesus is quoted with saying, “Do to others as you would have them do to you”.
The single-most effective way to increase your productivity is to outsource (or delegate) some of your responsibilities to others. If other people feel valued for their contributions and voluntarily are able to do something for you in less time, or at a lower rate, your productivity has suddenly improved! To do this well, consider and demonstrate their importance to you, the company and their career.
6. The sixth work has is to Get Advice When Needed
Proverbs also says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).
Most challenges and activities that you take on have already been accomplished by someone else. Finding these people, and asking for their advice, will save you countless hours and headaches. Although it can be tempting to do everything on your own, we all know we can save ourselves time by seeking out and listening to the advice of others.
7. Finally, the final work hack is to stay “Focused on Profitable and Worthwhile Activities.”
Another great proverb says “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense” (Proverbs 12:11).
Pursue what you know works, rather than chasing after fantasful ideas and trivial pursuits.
