Idolatry of Hustle
As women, we’re often praised for our ability to hustle – to work hard, to achieve our goals, and to balance multiple responsibilities. But there’s a danger in the idolatry of hustle, when we become so consumed with our own achievements that we lose sight of the things that truly matter. The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 provides a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the pursuit of worldly success.
In the story of the Tower of Babel, we see a group of people who were united in their language and culture. They decided to build a tower that would reach the heavens, not because they wanted to honor God or make the world a better place, but because they wanted to make a name for themselves. Their goal was to hustle harder and achieve more in order to become famous and powerful. But this pursuit of fame and power was not pleasing to God. He saw that the people were becoming arrogant and prideful and that they were more concerned with their own desires than with doing His will.
As women, we can relate to the pressure to hustle and achieve more. We’re often told that we can have it all – a successful career, a happy family, a fulfilling social life – but the reality is that balancing all of these responsibilities can be exhausting. We may find ourselves working long hours, sacrificing self-care, and constantly striving to prove ourselves to others. But in our pursuit of worldly success, we can forget to honor God and put Him first in our lives.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. It can be easy to rely on our own abilities and accomplishments, but we must remember that our success ultimately comes from God. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builder’s labor in vain.” When we seek God’s will and submit our plans to Him, we can find peace and fulfillment, even if our achievements don’t match society’s expectations.
The story of the Tower of Babel also reminds us to avoid comparing ourselves to others. In our culture of social media and constant connection, it’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough. We may see other women who seem to have it all together and feel like we’re falling behind. But 2 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us that comparing ourselves to others is not wise. God has given each of us unique talents and gifts, and we must focus on using them to honor Him, rather than trying to compete with others.
As women, we may also hustle in ways that are specific to our gender. We may feel pressure to look a certain way, to have a perfect home, or to be the best mother or wife. But these standards are often unrealistic and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and burnout. We must remember that our worth comes from God, not from our outward appearance or our ability to perform domestic tasks. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Our value lies in our relationship with God, not in our ability to hustle and achieve.
Finally, we must remember to take breaks and rest. It can be tempting to work nonstop in order to achieve our goals, but rest is crucial for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Jesus himself modeled this by taking time away to pray and rest (Mark 1:35). We can honor God by taking care of ourselves and making time for rest and rejuvenation.
When we prioritize rest, we are reminded that our identity and worth are not defined by what we do, but by who we are in Christ. We are God’s beloved daughters, and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Taking time to rest and reflect on our relationship with God can help us find perspective and renew our motivation to hustle for the right reasons – to honor God and serve others, rather than to seek our own glory.
In conclusion, the story of the Tower of Babel serves as a warning against the idolatry of hustle. As women, we may feel pressure to hustle harder and achieve more, but we must remember to honor God and seek His will above all else. We can find peace and fulfillment by trusting in God, avoiding comparison, recognizing our unique talents and gifts, taking breaks, and prioritizing rest. When we hustle for the right reasons, we can experience true success and find joy in honoring God with our lives.
Jori O’Neale is an author, ordained Minister, bible teacher, and the CEO of IYH Innertainment LLC, a faith-based entertainment company. She is the wife to one amazing husband, mother to four miraculous children, and teacher to hundreds of NYC youth. Check out her podcast “30 Minutes of Power”, a podcast dedicated to motivating and inspiring godly women to pursue their passions. Follow her @jorioneale on all socials and for more great content check out her author’s page on Amazon.
