August 11, 2024
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Proverbs 18:9
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 19:15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
According to the US Department of Energy, an idling vehicle is a significant global problem. Idling occurs when a car is not moving, but the engine is still running, burning gas and emitting harmful pollutants into the environment. There are a few instances where idling is necessary, such as in congested traffic (unless you have a vehicle with auto-stop technology) or in the winter to defrost the windows. But in many other cases, idling can be reduced or avoided by turning off the engine if the vehicle is stopped for more than 10 seconds. This small act benefits everyone.
In serving God, we must be careful that we are not like an idling vehicle, idling our way through the day, wasting our precious God-given energy, still running but going nowhere. We must be careful that our souls are not idle because the Bible says an idle soul shall suffer hunger. An idle soul is one who is not doing the Lord’s work, which causes unnecessary suffering and self-harm. An idle soul is one whose mind is thinking but not on holy thoughts, whose heart is beating but not for the Lord, whose mouth is talking but not on things pleasing to God, and whose hands are busy but not doing things for God.
Jesus said in Matthew 20:1, 6, 7, 9 - For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
It’s clear that a person can spend their whole day being idle. But the beauty in this parable is that even those who had been idle all day were paid for a day’s worth of work, after they went out and did the work the householder hired them to do. What a merciful and gracious God we serve.
If you are in your eleventh hour, if you have been idle most of the day, week, month, year, or even most of your life, there is hope. The Lord is speaking to you. He’s calling you to do the work He has for you. Just trust Him and take that step. Now is the time to stop idling and get to work for the Lord. Your reward is waiting. The ultimate reward, though, is spending eternity with the Lord. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Prayer:
Dear Father God,
Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to work for You, the Lord God Almighty. Lord, You have given each of us a specific work to do. Please forgive us, Lord, for the times we have spent idling instead of doing the work that You have called us to do. Lord, thank You for the mercy and grace You have shown us even when we have wasted so much of our God-given precious energy on meaningless things that only harm us and move us further away from You and Your will for our lives. Lord, please help us not to be idle but to be productive in all ways, in all things for You. Please help us to use our energy for You, Lord, for good things that our souls will not lack but will be filled with Your glory, peace, and righteousness. Lord, we don’t want You to return and catch us with our work undone. Please help us each day to actively live a divinely meaningful life and walk in our purpose, joyfully waiting to receive the reward that awaits our work for You.
In Jesus’ most holy and precious name, we pray. We thank and love You, Lord.
Amen
Copyright © 2024 Dr. Lou Ella V. Taylor PhD, CNS, RN
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