Heaven's Hound

The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency is all the rage these days. Literally, conservatives tend to love it, and liberals tend to rage against it. It was formed with the express purpose of reducing or eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

But what about God's Department of Godly Efficiency? It is a divine operation led by the Holy Spirit, once famously referred to as “the Hound of heaven.” He works to remove everything in our lives that drains our spiritual potential. Yes, even Christians can harbor waste, fraud and abuse.

Jesus said God prunes branches that don’t bear fruit so that the healthy ones can grow stronger. Paul reminds us not to get tangled up in the distractions of the world but to focus on fulfilling God’s purpose.

So, what areas of waste might the Holy Spirit want to remove from your life?

1. Wasted Time

Ephesians 5:16 urges us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil.” How often do we let hours slip away on things that don’t matter—mindless scrolling, endless entertainment, or worrying about things outside our control? Or maybe it is simply a lack of a schedule. We waste precious time by just letting it go by and doing whatever we randomly think of or only feel like doing in that moment. The Holy Spirit wants to help us invest our time wisely, filling it with things that build us up and draw us closer to God.

2. Wasted Energy

Anxiety, bitterness, and distractions rob us of the strength we need to serve God effectively. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer. How much energy would you regain if you surrendered your worries instead of carrying them? Stop spending emotional and mental energy on things that don’t bear fruit.

Additionally, examine what things and activities and relationships you are investing your energy in. Do they deserve it, or are there other causes more deserving of your energy and effort?

3. Wasted Resources

We are stewards of everything God gives us—our finances, talents, and even our bodies. Yet, how often do we squander resources on things that bring no eternal value, let alone value to our present life? It is not pleasant, but there is nothing like an audit to reveal the ridiculous things we sometimes waste our resources on. Or maybe the fact that we simply made no effort. We need God's DOGE to show us when we misuse what He’s given us, and redirects us toward wise, Kingdom-focused decisions. And internal audits are always preferred over 3rd party and sometimes public audits.

4. Wasted Potential

Many people settle for less than what God has planned for them. Fear, doubt, and past failures can make us hesitant to step into our calling. But Paul tells us in Colossians 4:17 to “see that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” The Holy Spirit’s job is to help us step fully into our God-given purpose, trimming away everything that holds us back. Avoid wasted potential by engaging with godly ambition.

Pruning Can Be Painful, But It’s Necessary

When God starts cutting things away, it can feel like a chainsaw instead of gentle pruning.

But His goal is not to harm us—it’s to make us more fruitful, effective, and prepared for kingdom enterprise. There are big and very important things you should accomplish in your life. Those goals and relationships are worth the discomfort. 

Ask yourself: What in my life is consuming time, energy, and resources without producing value? Then, cooperate with the Holy Spirit and get to work eliminating or improving. It may be uncomfortable, but in the end, you’ll be stronger, sharper, and more effective for God’s Kingdom.

Are you ready to let the Department of Godly Efficiency go to work in your life?