ODJ: hectic sluggard
October 30, 2009
READ: Proverbs 10:1-9
A wise youth harvests
in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace (v.5).
Lazy? Not me. I’m busy. Up early, up late. My schedule is filled from beginning to end. I love what I do and I love getting stuff done. I attack a daily to-do list with the same intensity I play basketball.”
I couldn’t identify more with these words written by Christian blogger C. J. Mahaney. It’s great to keep busy and accomplish stuff, isn’t it?
If we grasp what true diligence is all about as presented in Proverbs, however, we may discover that we are simply being hectic sluggards. Here’s why. Proverbs 10:5 describes the diligent person as busy and wise. In other words, a diligent person uses both his brawn and brain. He analyzes his situation and makes wise decisions in his labor. He knows how to act and speak in different situations. He doesn’t back down from challenges, but seeks to navigate around or through them with God’s help. He knows that wisdom doesn’t imply superior IQ. It’s found in a healthy fear of the Lord (9:10).
A diligent person also works in anticipation of the harvest. She has a clear goal to accomplish and she applies appropriate action at the right time by harvesting in summer.
She recognizes that busyness does not make us immune from laziness. People can be busy and still not accomplish anything of true value. They can be busy, but with doing the wrong things and at the wrong time. And the things that they should be doing are left undone.
Diligence flows from analysis, anticipation, appropriate action, and accomplishment—all prompted by the Holy Spirit’s active work within us. When considering our schedules, let’s pursue priorities and projects that are derived from God’s wise plans. To be diligent for God does not mean simply being busy.
—Poh Fang Chia
What is keeping you busy? How should you reorder your schedule this week to glorify God even more?
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Loading ...ODB: be a stander
October 30, 2009
READ: 2 Timothy 4:9-18
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. —Proverbs 17:17
Western novelist Stephen Bly says that in the days of America’s Old West there were two types of friends (and horses): runners and standers. At the first sign of trouble, the runner would bolt—abandoning you to whatever peril you were facing. But a stander would stick with you no matter the circumstances. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t know which kind of friend you had until trouble came. And then it was too late—unless your friend was a stander.
Rather than being concerned with what kind of friends we have, however, we ought to consider what kind of friends we are. In the final days of Paul’s ministry, as he awaited death, some who had ministered with him turned into runners and abandoned him to face execution alone. In his last letter, he listed some (like Demas) who had run off, then simply stated, “Only Luke is with me” (2 Tim. 4:11). Luke was a stander. While undoubtedly disappointed by those who had deserted him, Paul must have been deeply comforted to know he was not alone.
Proverbs tells us that “a friend loves at all times” (17:17). During times of adversity, we need friends we can rely on. When the people we know face trouble, what kind of friend will we be—a runner or a stander? — Bill Crowder
A true friend stands with us in times of trial.
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