I enjoy music. (I often whistle or hum my way through an activity. And over the years I have enjoyed the tunes and themes of country music. One of the simple lessons I have gleaned from this genre is in this pithy refrain:

“Work your fingers to the bone … what do you get?
Boney fingers, boney fingers.”

Think about it if all you do is work. The wisdom included here may just stick.

The writer of Proverbs gave this advice

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
be wise enough to desist.
Proverbs 23:4

I don’t want to suggest that hard work isn’t important or necessary in life. There is work that must be done, and we should do our share. But should we wear ourselves out? Should we work our fingers to the bone? Is there wisdom in desisting? Be wise enough to pace yourself.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to remember the rhythm that you established in Creation — work six days and rest on the seventh – as I approach my work this week. Amen.