Proverbs 26:12-16; cf. 6:6-11
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly.
When it comes to work, are you a sluggard? Or are you a workaholic? These are two extremes that the book covers.
What about that spiritual sweat that the book talks about? Are you working in that area & doing the things that will contribute to yours & your family's growing in Jesus Christ?
Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37). He wasn’t referring to “vocational work”. But then, perhaps the way we work can contribute to the harvesting of the vast “lands of lost souls”! But it will take “spiritual sweat” first, for that to happen! Are you guys ready for that?
Why do I think this is true? I don’t think it, I know it to be true because I’ve experienced it. That is not some badge of honor either. I’ve blown it big time. And enough times to know that I cannot do or be anything of worth to God without first meeting with Him! I sometimes still find myself asking God the question, “what’s it gonna take for You to get through to my hard heart, Lord?” At some point, we have to drop everything and say “OK, God, I want what You want!” Because He is NOT going to change you unless you are willing to be changed.
So we, men, ought to ask the question, “Am I really and truly His?” In fact, ask Him that question, “How am I doing, God? What is still needful?”
But even then I have to be IN IT, and WANT His will over my own. Cursory reading a verse and out the door once a day, probably will not cut it. Going to church Sunday morning can be wonderful, but that doesn’t necessarily make a Christian grow in Christ.
What will? That is between you and God; but are you truly seeking? Are you diligently seeking to understand His will for your life – in a conscious, reasoned dialog with your maker? Are you expending spiritual sweat, not emotional gobbledygook, but reasoned, interaction with the Lord, God Almighty?
Jesus made it possible, we know that in concept, but are we actively engaged with our Lord, our Master, our God?
Take a fresh assessment of your life today. If changes are needed, don’t wallow in self despair. Turn to God and He will lift you up in ways you never thought of.
God has work for us to do – vocationally and spiritually – and they likely overlap. Let’s get busy! Let’s get to work!
Let’s sweat – together!
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly.
When it comes to work, are you a sluggard? Or are you a workaholic? These are two extremes that the book covers.
What about that spiritual sweat that the book talks about? Are you working in that area & doing the things that will contribute to yours & your family's growing in Jesus Christ?
Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37). He wasn’t referring to “vocational work”. But then, perhaps the way we work can contribute to the harvesting of the vast “lands of lost souls”! But it will take “spiritual sweat” first, for that to happen! Are you guys ready for that?
Why do I think this is true? I don’t think it, I know it to be true because I’ve experienced it. That is not some badge of honor either. I’ve blown it big time. And enough times to know that I cannot do or be anything of worth to God without first meeting with Him! I sometimes still find myself asking God the question, “what’s it gonna take for You to get through to my hard heart, Lord?” At some point, we have to drop everything and say “OK, God, I want what You want!” Because He is NOT going to change you unless you are willing to be changed.
So we, men, ought to ask the question, “Am I really and truly His?” In fact, ask Him that question, “How am I doing, God? What is still needful?”
But even then I have to be IN IT, and WANT His will over my own. Cursory reading a verse and out the door once a day, probably will not cut it. Going to church Sunday morning can be wonderful, but that doesn’t necessarily make a Christian grow in Christ.
What will? That is between you and God; but are you truly seeking? Are you diligently seeking to understand His will for your life – in a conscious, reasoned dialog with your maker? Are you expending spiritual sweat, not emotional gobbledygook, but reasoned, interaction with the Lord, God Almighty?
Jesus made it possible, we know that in concept, but are we actively engaged with our Lord, our Master, our God?
Take a fresh assessment of your life today. If changes are needed, don’t wallow in self despair. Turn to God and He will lift you up in ways you never thought of.
God has work for us to do – vocationally and spiritually – and they likely overlap. Let’s get busy! Let’s get to work!
Let’s sweat – together!