When you see clear evidence of laziness, what goes through your mind?
I love the response of wisdom in Proverbs 24—“I looked and received instruction.” These verses are so rich in their description of the process of laziness, its effects, and how we ought to respond. They are worth meditating on, especially at the beginning of our day.
We rarely plan to be lazy for a whole day, but when we put relaxation first, that can happen, little by little.
30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
Proverbs 24:30-34
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
These verses aren’t a condemnation of relaxing activities or sleep; instead, they show the necessity of putting our work first. There are simply things that we must accomplish before we sleep or relax.
In addition to ordering things properly, I like to make a distinction between rest and relaxation. Both have their place, but I can often confuse the two when I am tired and not thinking clearly.
We may rush to do the work that we have so that we can finally sit down and “take a load off.” Some of us “work hard and play hard.” We say we value rest, but we often fail to do the thing that will bring us true rest: going to God to “restore our souls.”
We need physical rest, and we can find enjoyment in relaxation. But even more than those things, we must have the spiritual rest that restores our souls.
Have you noticed the header at the top of this website? It’s a beautiful quotation by St. Augustine about true rest. As someone who has struggled with crippling fatigue for decades of my life, I love how this quotation reminds me that no matter how tired I feel, the true rest that I need is the rest that comes from God.
Augustine has another quotation that has also helped me to differentiate between fatigue and laziness.
Human sloth pretends to long for rest, but what sure rest is there save in the Lord?
St. Augustine
Proverbs 24 and this reminder of where my true rest lies both work together to help me prioritize the right things: Abide in Him to find true rest, do my work to His glory, relax and enjoy the good things He provides.
This weekend, I went to an amazing ladies retreat here in Alberta. It was a joy to be with other women who desire to follow and glorify the Lord with their lives. The theme of the weekend was contentment, and we studied many passages, including Philippians 4.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13
The reason that we can do all things is because of the strength that Christ provides. When we go to Him to restore our souls, He provides the strength we need to work, care for others, and even have contentment. We don’t need to work up motivation through positive thinking or be inspired by ambition. We can be strengthened from within by His power because we are connected to Him. We can abide in Him today.
In what ways has God restored your soul this week?
This article is part of a series through the book of Proverbs. You can read more meditations on Proverbs on other pages of this site. Also, please consider joining the Proverbs Reading Challenge!
Suggested Reading:
“Drawing from the insights of numerous thinkers, published studies, and his own research, writer Tony Reinke identifies twelve potent ways our smartphones have changed us―for good and bad. Reinke calls us to cultivate wise thinking and healthy habits in the digital age, encouraging us to maximize the many blessings, avoid the various pitfalls, and wisely wield the most powerful gadget of human connection ever unleashed.” (Amazon description)
In this best-selling book, John Piper makes a passionate plea to the next generation to avoid the dangers of a wasted life, calling us to take risks and make sacrifices that matter for eternity―with a single, soul-satisfying passion for the glory of God that seeks to make much of him in every sphere of our lives. (Amazon description)
“Derek Kidner has not only provided a running commentary on the whole of Proverbs, but has also included two helpful study aids: a set of subject guides that bring together teaching scattered throughout the book, and a short concordance that helps locate lost sayings (in territory notoriously hard to search) and encourages further subject studies. In short, this volume is a wise person’s guide to wisdom.” (Amazon description)
