Hi Friend,
These words come from Ruth Chou Simons’ new book, The Way of the Wildflower. I hope this essay meets you right where you are, encourages you, and gives you a deep breath of fresh truth and beauty. You can grab a copy of her book here.
jj
We can’t work our way into the belovedness we long for.
How would you head into work today if you knew that everything you put effort into would succeed and satisfy? What if you could see the fruit of your labors today—not tomorrow or two years from now? Or if you could tangibly connect the work of your hands with the harvest you seek? What if you were confident, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you were doing exactly what you were called to do?
It’s not hard to feel motivated to do work that rewards.
If showing up faithfully at work meant a promotion, and discipling your children secured good behavior, and hours spent cleaning meant lasting beauty at home, and diligent efforts in creating promised receptivity from your audience, and your responsibilities perfectly aligned with your giftings . . .
Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Work would always feel satisfying, and we’d always be motivated to give it everything we have. Because, simply put, we long to find satisfaction through what we accomplish.
Here’s the problem with that: In the very beginning, God told Adam in the garden that one result of sin was that man would forever work but never feel satisfied by his labors.
Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food
until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;
for dust you are and to dust you will return. (Genesis 3:17–19 NIV)
Do you see it?
We were created to know a life of total peace, satisfaction, and wholeness through dependency on God, not in producing or toiling. This means that even if we were to land our dream job with the best benefits, we would not know true satisfaction. Even if our days were replete with fulfilling tasks, we’d still lack true satisfaction. Even if we received every accolade for our accomplishments, something would still be missing in our lives. Because the work of our hands was never meant to bring us the meaning and purpose we long for. The dissatisfaction we feel in our labors accompanies this life of toil and striving, that is, apart from Christ. This reality is why at the arrival of Jesus our Messiah, “the weary world rejoices.”20
If our good work were enough, we wouldn’t need a Savior. Our labor and diligent efforts will never be enough to secure our welcome before God or belovedness in his presence. Instead, we can only come to God by faith. Not by how well we get good and godly things done. We can’t work our way to the belovedness we long for. This is the good news, friend!
We were never meant to be fully satisfied, secure, or saved through the labors of our hands. We can’t please God by our own effort; it can only happen by him, through him, and for him: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16).
So, if we need God’s help to do any and all things, what does that mean for the work in front of us today? If it won’t satisfy or save us, if it can’t make us more loved by God, why work at all? The simple answer is this: We keep working out of desire to please the God who first loved us because of who he is. He’s already done the work to rescue you and prove his love for you. To work in this way is to work from a posture of soul rest instead of anxious toiling.
It’s a work ethic that:
Doesn’t Meddle, But Stewards:
“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Works With Sincerity:
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord” (Colossians 3:22).
Works For God’s Approval, Not People:
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23 nasb).
How might you work differently today if you remembered that the finished work of Christ is your true satisfaction and source of rest? Would you see your work (and your responsibilities) in a new way if the desire to please God rather than yourself or others was at the forefront of your mind?
I believe the gospel changes everything—including the way we work. So don’t forget that the faithful work of our Savior eliminated the meaninglessness of toil for us. Your mundane everyday moments matter, and your God will supply you with the satisfaction you’re longing for.
Meet the Author
Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including The Way of the Wildflower, GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, When Strivings Cease, and Now and Not Yet. She is an artist, podcaster, speaker, and the founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer of GraceLaced, an art and lifestyle brand. Simons uses each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts, making deep truths beautifully accessible with her signature art and relatable communication style. Simons has been featured on Good Morning America, Fox, Christianity Today, and Hallmark Home and Family. Ruth and her husband, Troy, live in Western Colorado and are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.
**Taken from The Way of the Wildflower by Ruth Chou Simons. Copyright Ruth Chou Simons (October 2025) by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, www.thomasnelson.com.
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