Work With Enthusiasm

Recently, I asked a friend how work was going. He said, “It’s always busy. I enjoy what I do, but management makes it worse. Then again, every workplace is like that.”

His comment stuck with me because I’ve felt that through the years. How a place is led really does shape how it feels to show up. Some days it’s easy to give your best. Other days, it’s a struggle.

Underneath it is a question many people wrestle with. Why should I give my best if I don’t feel valued by those above me?

Paul addressed that exact tension. He wrote, “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Ephesians 6:7)

Is enthusiasm a reaction or a decision?

Here’s the part that challenged me. The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek idea en theos, which means “in God.”

That means enthusiasm isn’t hype or personality, but proximity. When my work is in God, my heart has a reason to show up bigger than my task or management.

If you’re waiting for perfect conditions to put your heart into something, you’ll be waiting a while. Enthusiasm grows when you remind yourself that you’re working for the Lord. This perspective can fuel the highs and lows of work.

Here’s a small practice to start your day: “Lord, I’m working for You in this. Help me bring my whole heart.”