What Sluggards Say
This Week's Theme: Self-Discipline
Bill Hybels
Monday, November 1, 1999
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse:
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
(Proverbs 6:6). Bonus Reading: Proverbs 6:7-11; 24:30-34
"I'll do it—tomorrow." The Book of Proverbs calls people who operate according to this mindset sluggards. Every time a person responds to a pressing responsibility with a careless "I'll do it later," he is acting in a sluggardly way.
When I was a kid and Mom asked me to set the table or take out the garbage, I was likely to say something like "At the next commercial, Mom." If Dad heard me, he'd say, "Do it now, Billy. Don't wait." He did me a huge service by demanding prompt, responsible action.
Let's say that on the way to work I remember a challenging responsibility I didn't have time to complete the previous day. I could use my car time to pray and ask God for strength. I could think about ways of fulfilling that responsibility more efficiently. I could determine to face that daunting task with as much energy and aggressiveness as I can muster. But if I'm on the sluggard's path, I'll find an excuse for not facing that challenge—perhaps even, for not going to work that day.
Proverbs warns that procrastination breeds procrastination, excuses breed excuses, laziness breeds laziness. You'll end up stuck in a life of ruin.
Bill Hybels in Making Life Work
Personal Challenge:
What tasks are you likely to put off? Ask God for strength to face them.
Thought to Apply:
Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible.
George Horace Lorimer (SATURDAY EVENING POST EDITOR)
Credits: Adapted from--Monday:Making Life Work (InterVarsity, 1998)
1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail mail@menofintegrity.net.
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