Sloth and the Soul

For Tuesday October 4, 2005
Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied

Sloth is never simply a physical problem, but one that affects the whole person, body and soul. The sluggard thinks he or she is trading off difficulty now for immediate ease, but this proves not to be the case. What he or she puts off, will come back again and cause even greater trouble.

The trouble will not just be the task that was avoided, even as it has likely grown to greater proportions, but a poverty of spirit that brings frustration and misery. It is hard to admit to yourself that your own sloth is the root of your failure, but its still 'known' at one level increasing bitterness within.

We know the feeling we get when we have accomplished a task in advance of the problem. This reward helps motivate us to continue on the wise path of diligence and preparation. We see God's wisdom working in a world of consequences that encourage us toward maturity, while frustrating us when we depart from wisdom.

What have you been putting off?