Television personality Mike Rowe comes across as a very down-to-earth sort of guy. His role as the host of the show “Dirty Jobs” cemented his position as the spokesman for the everyman; the blue-collar worker, the American family, and common sense. One of my favorite sayings of his, delivered in his flavorful bass voice, is, “Work smart and hard.” Like me, he grew up with the saying “Work smart not hard” which is good advice. It means that one should plan their job and workflow in such a way as to make it easier, not arbitrarily harder. The Bible has some great advice to this effect: “If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer” (Eccl. 10:10-11). “Work smart not hard” means plan ahead. Take a little time to sharpen your axe before you work, it’ll be easier that way. Charm the snake before you pick it up. You get the idea.

But the thing I enjoy about Mike’s twist on it is that now that one has planned ahead, it doesn’t give us an excuse to be lazy. I’m often thankful for my past self when months ago I made a note that saved me time today. But does that give me a license to take today off? Of course not. Now I can do even more. The Bible also brought this up long ago. Much more of this and one might start thinking that common sense, or wisdom, has a central heavenly source.

As Christians, it should be obvious that we all have work to do in the kingdom. However, there are obstacles to that work, and they are not always external. In fact, they are usually internal. Such is usually the case with things like hard work or running. Most of the difficulty is self-inflicted. Both Paul and the author of Hebrews describe that work in the kingdom as a foot race (1 Cor. 9:24-27, Heb. 12:1-17). Hebrews especially speaks to the value of preparation so we can work smart AND hard.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1-2a). You want to bear as light of a load as possible when working. If we are trying to finish the work, we can’t do that with sin hanging around. It has to go. “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” (12:12-14). Spend some work now preparing your future and eternity for success. If we are going to pursue holiness, a strenuous work indeed, we need to get rid of the unholy things that will slow us down. That’s working smart and hard.                                                                 

– DMF