October 3, 2024
Andrew Thompson
Dunbar Cave, Campus Pastor
Proverbs 24:33-34
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands for rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.
I went to highschool with a guy who was an all-world athlete. You ever met someone who had every physical gift imaginable? Someone who could jump out of the gym, had the hand/eye coordination of a cat, was the fastest and strongest person on the field, and stood 6’3”? That was this guy. He likely had the ability to go pro in just about any sport imaginable. When he was a junior he decided that he would focus on baseball. It was the sport he loved most and felt he was best at. His confidence wasn’t misplaced, as he was drafted in the 3rd round of the MLB draft out of high school! From a certain perspective he was on the fast track to a life of wealth and fame. Here is the problem: he ultimately did not have the work effort or drive to match his talent. He flamed out after just a few short years and voluntarily retired. When you look around at the people who accomplish the most with their lives you often won’t see the people with the most natural giftedness. Rather, you will find that those who go furthest in their fields have a different, mental trait: diligence and discipline.
One of the greatest threats to Christians today is the lack of diligence or discipline in their spiritual lives. Every way we turn there are different things which can distract us, monopolize our time, and waste our energy. The people of God must combat the temptation to approach spiritual things lazily. This proverb warns that being idle is a recipe for unexpected and sudden tragedy. Are you being lazy in your approach to your walk with the Lord? Allow me to ask a few diagnostic questions for us to assess our spiritual vitality. Reflecting on the past year, have you grown at all? Have you used your “idle moments” to read and meditate on the word of God? Or has laziness caused you to do the easy thing instead? Are you hesitant to take part in serving within the church? When the word of God is preached, does it ever feel that it demands application in your life? These questions are difficult for me! But I want to be a follower of Jesus that is lazy and useless. I have heard it said that “tomorrow” is the devil’s favorite word. Let us be people who take advantage of today! “See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Dunbar Cave, Campus Pastor
Proverbs 24:33-34
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands for rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.
I went to highschool with a guy who was an all-world athlete. You ever met someone who had every physical gift imaginable? Someone who could jump out of the gym, had the hand/eye coordination of a cat, was the fastest and strongest person on the field, and stood 6’3”? That was this guy. He likely had the ability to go pro in just about any sport imaginable. When he was a junior he decided that he would focus on baseball. It was the sport he loved most and felt he was best at. His confidence wasn’t misplaced, as he was drafted in the 3rd round of the MLB draft out of high school! From a certain perspective he was on the fast track to a life of wealth and fame. Here is the problem: he ultimately did not have the work effort or drive to match his talent. He flamed out after just a few short years and voluntarily retired. When you look around at the people who accomplish the most with their lives you often won’t see the people with the most natural giftedness. Rather, you will find that those who go furthest in their fields have a different, mental trait: diligence and discipline.
One of the greatest threats to Christians today is the lack of diligence or discipline in their spiritual lives. Every way we turn there are different things which can distract us, monopolize our time, and waste our energy. The people of God must combat the temptation to approach spiritual things lazily. This proverb warns that being idle is a recipe for unexpected and sudden tragedy. Are you being lazy in your approach to your walk with the Lord? Allow me to ask a few diagnostic questions for us to assess our spiritual vitality. Reflecting on the past year, have you grown at all? Have you used your “idle moments” to read and meditate on the word of God? Or has laziness caused you to do the easy thing instead? Are you hesitant to take part in serving within the church? When the word of God is preached, does it ever feel that it demands application in your life? These questions are difficult for me! But I want to be a follower of Jesus that is lazy and useless. I have heard it said that “tomorrow” is the devil’s favorite word. Let us be people who take advantage of today! “See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Posted in Daily Devos