The Sluggard's Instinct

For Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Proverbs 26:14

As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.

There is one form of action a sluggard does well; he turns his body smoothly to the other side in bed. He has got sleeping down pat. Indeed, sleeping is the one activity that he does not have to be cajoled to do. It is his instinct, in his blood.

That instinct is in all of us and is a good instinct. It is sleep that rejuvenates our body for activity. Many people do not get enough sleep through too much activity. Sleep is good, but like with most things, too much of a good thing is bad for us.

The problem of the sluggard is that he is an extremist. He does not practice moderation. He is no different from the alcoholic or workaholic or anyone else obsessed with one activity. His happens to be sleeping. And he must discipline himself like everyone else to practice moderation. Everyone who over engages in an activity does because he likes it. It is a pleasure he cannot control even when it brings bad consequences. Sleeping can be addictive. So can lying on the couch watching TV. So can any form of goofing off. Taking a break is an activity to control.

How disciplined are you? Do you get enough sleep, but not too much sleep? Do you work hard, but take the necessary breaks (though not too many) to rejuvenate your body? Self-discipline is needed to keep a healthy balance. What do you need to be disciplined about?