The assumption that employees often have is that productivity is simply about pushing yourself as far as you can to get more things done.
But that's not all there is to it. Productivity actually lies in the preparation of the self and setting an internal peace in you that gives you more room to move.
The Bible tells us that there is no source of peace greater than Jesus Christ.
God wants you to be productive. In fact, since the beginning of time, all He's ever meant for all mankind is maximised productivity. One of our Creator's first commandments to mankind in Genesis 1:22 says, "And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."
Being fruitful and multiplying means more than just having babies. It means building a life that would sustain babies. Any parent will know how impossible it is to raise kids without hard work. A job, steady income, food on the table and a home to shelter a family would be necessary. It was no different for Adam and Eve in the beginning, and the commandment goes on today. God wants and commands us to be fruitful—to be productive.
But God doesn't simply commands us to productivity. He gives us the groundwork necessary for a productive life. Genesis 1:22 starts off not with a job function, but with provision. It says "...And God blessed them."
God has blessed us with all we need to live productive lives. All He asks is that we trust Him for it.
2 Corinthians 9:10 tells us, "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." God doesn't leave us all alone to work for ourselves.
All this while He works for us. He gives us skill and ability, career opportunities, a clientele base, strength to work almost every day, rest on times we need it and practically everything we need to get things right. We can't do all of this by our own strength. There has to be a God who works all things for our good.
And if that's enough, we were given Jesus to be the mediator between us and God's blessings. Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
If it's not enough that God provides us with physical needs, He gives us our spiritual needs. He brings satisfaction in work, peace, joy, clarity of mind and everything we need so as long as we rely on Him and not on our own strength.
The ultimate productivity hack is in Jesus Christ, and it's free. We don't need to work for God's grace because He gives it freely if we accept it. Are you accepting God's grace today or are you simply relying on yourself for productivity?
