Did Adam sweat?

In the cool of the day, in a beautiful garden, did Adam ever hit his thumb with a makeshift hammer?

Or did every seed that Eve planted sprout into a beautiful, ripe vegetable?

Lately, my work has leaked into the crevices of my life.  Quick deadlines, high stakes, late phone calls—it’s been hard.  Monday afternoon, I scrambled to cancel meetings, rearrange kids’ activities, and book travel for an unanticipated one-hour Tuesday meeting.  Of course, my return flight was canceled, leaving a five-hour car ride to get home.

Could that have happened in the garden? 

If you remember—or have ever been taught—Adam and Eve worked in the garden.  Our labor isn’t the result of the fall.  No, it’s a life-orienting blessing.  We are made in the image of God who works. 

I am convinced: work was hard, even in the garden.  I bet Adam and Eve moved a few boulders to get a better view of paradise.

Which means you can be in the right role, in the right season, doing the right thing, and you will still sweat.

Your boss asking you to work late isn’t sin.

The 11th commandment wasn’t work-life balance.

That daunting task means you were created—not that you are flawed. 

I am amazed that Jesus grants joy to the servants who work hard and smart. (Matt. 25)

Don’t run from the grind.  Embrace it. 

The ride home on Tuesday still drained me.  But there was a blessing in it.  I just needed to sweat a little. 

P.S. The Fall is real.  Thorns and thistles coming next article. 

P.P.S. For the runners, Love the Grind.