The Concept of Pure Work
There’s one thing I know for sure, that human beings are never satisfied. We have that intrinsic urge to seek something better than what we already have. This tweet below perfectly describes said intrinsic urge.
This human trait is not a bad one because this is where we get the motivation and drive to innovate, engineer new products, and improve our overall standards of living. In other words, I am referring to the ability to progress.
Progress is loosely defined as “forward or onward movement towards a destination” via Google. Note the keywords “onward movement”, meaning that progress is a conscious decision that requires deliberate work. But does any kind of work automatically lead to progress? There are antonyms of progress like “return”, “regress”, and “deteriorate” which tells us that we go back when we fail to make progress. The importance of progress in the lives of the human species is nicely painted in an incident in Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” popularly known as the Red Queen’s Race.
We know that we must put in work to progress, but what kind of work must we do in order to progress? The kind of work to do is equally important because, regression, which we don’t want, is also a result of some kind of work or lack thereof. For the purposes of clarity and logic, let us call the work that leads to progress as “pure work”. I will later explain why I think pure work is a fitting name.
Before we delve into what pure work is, it is worth noting that, for any kind of work to have an impact on a man’s progress, it has to be consistent. That is why the definition says progress is “onward movement”. Not a sporadic movement. However, pure work as I put it, is a collection of principles that apply a compounding effect to the least input effort. To further illustrate my point, if the regular “hard work” that we know should take 10 years to achieve a certain status in life, “pure work” will take you 1 year to reach the same status.
Well, pure work may seem like magic but it is not. In other words, is the sacred wisdom of God through which the world was made. Pure work is observed in all creations of God, from plants to insects and animals. At a high level, these three principles explain what pure work truly is.
- Patience
- Purity
- Selflessness
Patience
There is an old Akan adage that when translated to English says that, “with patience, one can dissect an ant and pull out its intestines”. This says a lot about the word “patience”. Within patience lies perseverance and endurance, two virtues that keep one relentless and focused on the process regardless of external circumstances. In nature, the growth process of a bamboo tree is a perfect example of patience. The bamboo grows into new canes in the first 60 days after which it ceases to grow in height and diameter for the next 3 years. Botanists say that the bamboo becomes established in roots during this period which acts as a precursor to unprecedented growth in a very short time.
Purity
Purity is how one positions themselves in line with God’s plan. Obedience to God’s word and the 10 commandments is what purity is all about. You have to be pure in the sight of God in order to do pure work. This is where integrity comes in, and for this same reason, I chose the name pure work. Humans look at the physical but the creator, and the ultimate judge looks in our hearts. Is your heart clean, are your intentions pure in whatever you are doing? Are you truly trying to help your fellow human beings or you are in it for financial gain but disguised as a social intervention? Purity is the most important quality if you want to do pure work and reap the benefits. Always do your best to help another without expecting anything in return. Do not wish evil for anyone. Do not curse, but bless, even your worst enemy. Live in harmony and peace with each other and love your neighbor as yourself. In essence, do unto others what you wish others to do unto you. This is the golden rule.
Selflessness
Selflessness is an extension of the golden rule but it deserves its own section for further explanation. Selflessness is what our Lord and Master Jesus Christ meant when he said that “If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget self, carry his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16.24). This is a “risky” principle to follow in human terms, because who will take care of me and mine? Therefore, selflessness is a principle of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that whatever is lost because of our love for Jesus (neighbors), we shall eventually get it all back tenfold. We can and should be selfless with our time, money, and all other expendable resources.
These three principles that I have described above is what comes together to make pure work. I have been applying the concept of pure work in my life since I conceived it in late 2019 by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the span of two years, I went from a drug addict and a drug dealer to a successful entrepreneur. I went from the black sheep of my family to the backbone of the family. I give all the praise and all the glory to God for showing me this sacred wisdom of life and giving me the clarity to be able to put it in words. I have tried and tested pure work and it works. But do not take my word for it, try it for yourself and see the benefits you will reap. I wish everyone a prosperous 2022.
