Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do, Do It with All Your Might

Ecclesiastes 9:10

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

We have all had assignments that were, well, quite frankly, awful! Those assignments that test our patience, challenge our abilities, and make us wonder why we ever agreed to take them on in the first place.

I remember early in my career finding myself on special assignment at a manufacturing plant. I had been led to believe it was a prestigious opportunity, one that would provide valuable experience and help advance my career. Instead, I walked into an organization filled with labor strife, strained relationships, and some incredibly difficult employee relations issues.

It did not take long for me to realize just how challenging the situation really was. I could have easily done my time, made myself look busy, and navigated through the assignment for a few months before moving on. I could have joined the chorus of people saying the problems were too deeply rooted, the relationships too damaged, and the situation beyond repair.

But I chose a different path.

I approached the assignment with the kind of confidence and determination that many pastors encourages: believing that through Christ, we are more than conquerors and that no challenge is too great when we place our trust in Him.

I can and will do all things through Christ.

I went head-on into the challenges with passion, determination, and a genuine desire to make things better. Did I enjoy the assignment in the beginning? Absolutely not! There were days when I questioned why I was there. But I also understood that God had placed me in that situation for a reason, and I had a responsibility to give it everything I had.

I spent countless hours counseling leaders, listening to union members, addressing difficult employee relations issues, and working to rebuild trust where very little existed. It was not easy, and progress certainly did not happen overnight. But something remarkable began to happen. People started listening to one another. Relationships improved, common ground was established, and many of the issues that once seemed impossible to resolve began to find solutions.

By the end of the assignment, something happened that I will never forget. Leaders and union members alike thanked me for the work we had accomplished together. What began as one of the most difficult assignments of my career became one of the most rewarding.

Looking back, I realize that the assignment was not simply about fixing workplace problems. It was about learning to lead when circumstances were difficult, treating people with dignity, and understanding that our greatest opportunities to make a difference often come disguised as challenges we would rather avoid.

Christian Leaders, Are You Willing to Take On the Difficult Assignments?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us that whatever work God places before us, we are called to approach it with all our might. Not just the assignments we enjoy. Not just the opportunities that bring recognition or advancement. All of them.

As Christian business leaders, we have a responsibility to confront the difficult issues facing our organizations rather than allowing them to continue. Whether it involves workplace conflict, struggling employees, ineffective leadership, or an organizational culture that has lost its way, we must be willing to step forward with courage, conviction, and compassion.

Building a Kingdom Minded Organization does not mean we will never encounter difficult people or challenging circumstances. It means we approach those situations differently. We recognize that every employee has value, every relationship deserves our attention, and every challenge presents an opportunity to demonstrate Christ-centered leadership.

Sometimes the assignments we dislike the most become the very experiences God uses to develop us into better leaders.

So, Christian business leaders, have you got the courage to take on the hard issues facing your organizations? Are you willing to lead with determination when others have given up? Are you prepared to do the difficult work necessary to build an organization where people are respected, encouraged, and equipped to succeed?

If you are, you may discover that your greatest blessings come through the assignments you never wanted in the first place.

Help Our Community of Readers

How do you navigate the parts of your work that you genuinely dislike? Have you ever taken on an assignment that seemed impossible, only to discover it became one of your greatest opportunities to make a difference? How have you encouraged others who felt stuck in difficult circumstances?

Share your experiences with our community. We love learning from others and hearing how Christian leaders are making a difference in their workplaces.