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The Sluggard
In various Proverbs references, the sluggard is described as follows:
- Appetite is never filled
- Does not plan or prepare for the future
- Scared of moving forward
- Loves sleep and slumber
- Wise in his own eyes
The other day, I read a news article about a man—now homeless in Los Angeles—who had the kind of resume that would attract the attention of any job recruiter: high school valedictorian, economics major from Yale University, Wall Street banking jobs, and small business entrepreneur. Unfortunately, he made some poor choices 10 years ago that left him homeless, and today he’s living underneath a tarp in Los Angeles.
His family has tried repeatedly to get him help, and there is a standing offer for him to move in with his father (sounds like the story of the Prodigal Son, doesn’t it?), but he refuses to accept help, fearing he will bring others down.
While he may not have all of the characteristics listed above, he certainly doesn’t have a plan for the future, seems scared to move forward, and is wise in his own eyes. Even if “a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands” (Proverbs 24:33) is not a problem for you, beware of the other characteristics of a sluggard!
Boyd Bailey’s Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs offered a couple of more key perspectives: (1) Plan Ahead and (2) Diligence, Not Excuses.
Plan Ahead
Are you a planner—someone whose discipline determines choices you make during the day because you’re keenly aware that your actions affect your future?
Wise planners save both time and money. Their decision-making filter says no more often than yes—even to good opportunities. As I’ve noted previously, they avoid “more-on” behavior—taking more and more work and activities on without determining what comes off the plate.
Like the ant, as you harvest success, make sure to save for the future. Abundance is not meant to be spent all at once but to be saved for the downtimes.
Diligence, Not Excuses
Excuses are the language of the lazy. Instead of taking responsibility, they assign blame:
- The weather disrputed a deadline.
- A vendor delayed the shipment.
- An illness struck a team member.
- Traffic made me late.
- We need more resources.
- “They” changed their mind.
- The company doesn’t communicate.
- I am overwhelmed.
- I need more time.
Where diligence is not in play, any excuse will do. In fact, diligence is encouraged by what can be done, not discouraged by what can’t be done.
The motto of the diligent is, “No excuses, only ways to move forward.” (Check out my previous summary of Sam Silverstein’s No More Excuses.)
Like the teeny, tiny, insignificant ant, we learn to prepare.
Most importantly, we are diligent to grow our faith in God. No excuses, only creative ways to facilitate more of Christ in our character. Boyd Bailey encourages this prayer, “Heavenly Father, keep me diligently focused on Your priorities and deliver me from making excuses—especially lame ones!”
Make It Happen vs. Let It Happen
So, making a plan and demonstrating diligence can quickly turn into a philosophy and approach of “making it happen.” Right now, it seems I’m really wrestling with this…
In following Jesus Christ, when am I supposed to push forward, and when do I step back and “let it happen”? There’s not a simple recipe or easy answers, which is part of what makes the Christian life and walk so exciting. He lets us wrestle with a number of ways to find balance in life.
Don’t get me wrong. Making it happen, or pushing on something until it gives, has its place and can be very effective. But sometimes—whether exercising, learning, coaching, parenting, or business—the closer you get to crossing an important threshold, the less making it happen works. If anything, in these situations trying to make it happen often backfires.
You get injured or you get stuck. These are the times when it’s best to let things happen instead.
Letting things happen means stepping back, being patient, and releasing control. That’s often what God wants from us. It doesn’t mean you stop working toward a goal, but it may mean loosening your grip.
May we find that right balance of being diligent while waiting on the Lord’s perfect timing (from Isaiah 60:22 above), as we shoot for the stars!