“The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.” Proverbs 26:15
Devotional Thought For The Day
This is the third of a series of four short observations on sloth, or laziness. The observations consist of mocking irony. In this proverb the lazy person is motivated to put his hand out for food but is so lazy and out of shape that it wears him out to get the food to his mouth. In other words, he would be content to go back to his infant days when someone else delivered the food right to his mouth. This is of course exaggeration – a figurative use of language known as hyperbole. It is usually quite humorous and derisive and makes a stinging point. Yet it is not too far off the mark when we consider how convenient it is for us to ask someone to fetch us seconds, or something else we want when we’re lounging in the easy chair in front of the television. Men often get into the habit of allowing mere eating to wear them out [apparently], for they often have little energy to help with the clean up after a meal. Where do women get all of their energy?
The matter of resolving laziness is difficult but straightforward – one simply has to get up and do something. Then a little more, and a little more, until one is at least taking care of themselves – personally, financially, and socially. The goal is to train ourselves so that we not only are conditioned and capable of taking care of ourselves, but also others. This is part of the circle of life, growing into adulthood – and one of the principle responsibilities of parents, to teach this to our children. God certainly provides all of us with enough resources and enough energy to be this way. However, our sinful nature is filled with laziness and the sense of privilege – that others should serve us and that all of our desires should be met with minimal labor and effort. So it is a chore requiring discipline to become self-sufficient and a positive asset to society. Ordinarily selfishness, greed, ambition, and pride move a good number of people to such industriousness; however, for Christians, those who know and believe God’s great sacrificial love for us, it is His love that should move us both to unburden others with having to care for us, and to give of ourselves for the care of others. This is a very godly characteristic and pleasing to our Heavenly Father! Such care and serving does not puff up and inflate a person – as it does with those who serve others out of selfishness and sin; rather, such service is considered a privilege and is done without fanfare or any desire for personal gain, prestige, or prerogative.
There are many within the church, however, who need also to remember that they are not God – that they are creatures, finite and with limitations, and that we need to rest [just as Christ did, and as He instructed His disciple to do – Mark 6:31]. It is true that we are able to do far more than we often think we can, or that is reasonable to expect of ourselves – as God provides us with strength. However, we are also subject to “burnout,” an exhaustion of physical and mental strength and energy – and this can result in the need for a long recovery, one that can become habitual and bury us back in laziness. It is also part of the circle of life, that as we age we have less energy and strength and require more rest and recharging. So we need to learn wisdom and balance in this matter – understanding the blessedness of giving and serving, but also aware of our limitations and our needs for rest and recovery. Obviously, our Creator understands all of these things – and encourages this wisdom and balance. We have His urging to work and to be productive in love; we also have His urging to rest, relax, recreate, and recover, His permission and therefore freedom in His will to rest rather than to burn out.
May God bless us so that we find joy in being more on the productive than the lazy side of the continuum. May He also bless us to understand and achieve balance in our lives so that we remain healthy, energized, and productive for many years.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for taking on human flesh and demonstrating our need for rest and recuperation, and for giving us both permission and instruction to take time to recover from our labors. Thank You also for Your sacrificial love and service to us which motivates and empowers our love for others. Preserve us from all sloth and laziness; preserve us also from such pride and ambition that we run ourselves into the ground. Give us joy in the goodness of life which You will for us. Amen.