Holy Hustle

Ah “hustle.” The word the internet has decided to hate recently. Instead of being a word that exemplifies hard work and effort, it’s become a word that means ceaselessly striving. The funny thing about it? It’s just a word. It can’t be good or bad. But how we choose to apply it to our lives can be.

The phrase “holy hustle” has been rolling around in my head for a few months now. I don’t want to be the kind of woman who strives unnecessarily toward my own agenda. I don’t want sleepless nights or endless stress. But I do want to work as hard as I can on the work God gives me to do.

Whether that’s as a wife, a mom, a friend, a co-worker, a writer, a coach, or whatever else God presents, I don’t have the kind of personality to sit back and calmly breath as the world goes by. In fact at a recent Strengths Finders training I discovered that God has uniquely wired me to be primarily responsible and strategic. Which means that when something needs done, I get it done. If it needs a plan, I’ll make one on a color coded spreadsheet. Hustle is built into my DNA the same way my eye color is – and I’m learning that it can either be my downfall, or I can use it for God’s glory.

I think of the story of Ruth. Faithful. Loyal. Trusting. Hustled. When she and Naomi needed to survive, to find food, Ruth laced up her boots and went to the field. (Figuratively, of course). She worked hard – harder than most of the others in the field. She stopped for breaks when she needed them but she kept going, even when it was challenging. She trusted God and she did the work He called her to do and she was rewarded for it.

That’s the kind of hustle I want to have in my life. The kind that trusts God’s agenda over my own and does everything to serve His kingdom instead of building my own. It’s the holy hustle that has given me a love for faith and fitness, for inviting more women to join me in their own journey. It’s what keeps me motivated sharing encouragement and inspiration on Instagram and Periscope, and what doesn’t allow my brain to stop dreaming up new ideas and ways to offer resources that equip women.

Around this corner of the internet, hustle isn’t a 4-letter word. It’s just what I do.