The Lodestar

Drudgery is repeatedly doing things that we do not like. Otherwise, drudgery is tasks that feel heavy, like a weight you carry because you have to, not because you want to.

Think about that person stuck at the railway ticket counter during rush hours, doing the same thing, hour after hour. Or the endless loop of cleaning the house, driving the same route day in and day out, and doing the same task every day. That kind of repetition can suck the joy out of things.

Drudgery in Spiritual Life

And it is not just limited to those kinds of jobs. Even in our spiritual lives, things can feel joyless, routine, and purposeless. Prayer can become just words you say, losing their meaning. Church services can feel like a drag when the same old thing is repeated without real connection. Interestingly, even people in ministry, folks you might think are always on fire, have talked about the "daily grind." The constant preaching, visiting, and sometimes chaotic meetings can leave them feeling empty like their work has lost its spark.

Defeating Drudgery

So, how do we break free from this feeling of drudgery? Well, some insightful advice is tucked away in Colossians 3:23. It says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Let that sink in for a second. It is about a shift in perspective. Whatever task is in front of you, approach it with your whole being – sincerely, with purpose. It is not just about who benefits from your efforts but about seeing it as an act of devotion, something you are doing for a higher purpose for God.

Brother Lawrence

There is a fantastic example of this in the life of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite monk in France. This guy was famous for finding incredible spiritual joy in the most basic stuff – kitchen work, even fixing sandals! He saw these everyday tasks as acts of love and service to God. He wisely said, "We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work but the love with which it is performed."

Practical Advice

So, how can we apply this wisdom to overcome drudgery in our lives? Here are a few ideas: First, shift your focus. Instead of just seeing the task in front of you—the laundry, the emails, whatever it is—try to see the God you are doing it for. Approaching even the smallest things with love and excellence can bring Him glory.

Second, find joy in the purpose. Think about it: Jesus washed feet, Paul made tents, and Ruth gathered leftover grain in the fields. These might seem like "lowly" tasks, but God values faithful work, no matter what it looks like. There is real dignity in the purpose behind what you do.

Third, invite God into the mundane. Turn those repetitive tasks into a kind of prayer. Maybe whisper thanks as you work, put on some worship music, or be present with God in the middle of it all. Fourth, serve others through it. Often, what feels like drudgery is an act of service – cooking for your family, earning a living to support them, helping your team. Let love for others be your motivation.

Finally, remember this: rest with God. Do not just push through until you are completely burnt out. Rest is sacred, too. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

So, the next time you face a task that feels like drudgery, try shifting your perspective. See it not just as a chore but as an opportunity to connect with something bigger, to serve with love, and to find joy even in the ordinary. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.

(Paulson Pulikottil, Chief Editor of Lodestar and the Senior Pastor of the Community of the Redeemed, Pune, India).