| “Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.” |
| —Proverbs 19:15 |
When you think of yourself, what kind of image comes to mind? Are you someone who jumps up each day ready to face the world, full of energy, anxious to get to work, willing to do what needs to be done? Or, have you become lethargic or lazy because things in your life haven’t gone exactly as you hoped they would go
King Solomon must have been surrounded by all different kinds of people. At least in his words of wisdom, he seems to address a wide range of conditions that afflict human beings. Notice what he writes in Proverbs 19:15:
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.
We can almost chuckle that Solomon felt it was necessary to state such a truth. But, he was probably frustrated that not everyone was as energetic as he was. Not everyone faced the day with a vigor that would carry them through the day.
As Christians, much is required of us in our work on behalf of Christ and His Kingdom. This work requires our full attention, our full energy, and our full commitment to do what needs to be done.
While I don’t agree with everything that humorist Garrison Keillor does or says, in creating his imaginary product, “Powdermilk Buscuits,” the make-believe commercial for this tasty treat includes these words, “Powdermilk Buscuits that give shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.”
That’s what we need in our lives as believers. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to have the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.
At the beginning of another new day, let’s remember that we have no reason to sink back into a laziness and lethargy that saps our strength and hinders our work for the Kingdom. Rather, we need to approach this day with a spring in our step, a song on our lips, and a God-breathed love in our hearts. If we do, we will not fall into a deep sleep, nor go hungry.
Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, November 9, 2017
