I am Worse
A few weeks ago, a close friend confessed that a habitual spirit of laziness that he’d been living in over the past few years was hindering his pursuit of God. The Spirit opened his eyes to the sinful comfort of sluggish contentment, and the result was that he was distraught that he could be so lackadaisical toward the God who had given him so much. As I internalized his confession a sense of pride came over me and a swagger of self-confidence began to take root because laziness did not characterize me. No, I am worse…
The Same Different
My ego is driven by the busy task that brings about a sense of accomplishment. I run on the fuel of self-accomplishment, and pride myself on how much of my to-do list is checked off. On the outside people see my hard work and pat me on the back, but on the inside God sees my heart and His breaks. In my more honest moments, I admit that I find just as much comfort in my senseless busyness, if not more than a sluggard on his worst binge. The art of busyness and the ploy of laziness serve the same god of self, but deceive the bystanders with the different images they project.
Both End Here
Being busy finds it’s end standing next to laziness. Both seek to be comforted by the dexterity of their lifestyle. The lazy man finds comfort in his couch, while the busy man receives it in his task. Both cling to comfort but not the same manifestation of it. The comfort given to the lazy is a physical sensation. They take pleasure in the delight of the senses. If it smells, taste, or feels good then the lazy man desires it. The busy man’s comfort is less detected because it often masquerades itself behind hard work. His comfort is drawn from the eyes that approve his tedious labor, even if the eyes are his own. His comfort is the pride he finds in knowing that he is not lazy.
Bridge to Acceptance
More than that, a busy man’s deeds serve to further inflate his ego by adding a sense of righteousness to his appearance. Though his deeds may be commended as righteous, the heart behind the good-works is empty and cold. Foolish enough to fool himself, his busy-righteous deeds blind his eyes to repentance. Consumed and blinded the busy have no time to reflect or ask hard questions because there is always another task and hard questions are not comfortable. Always doing and never seeing, busy people are rarely awakened to the state of their existence. The righteousness and true peace he seeks to obtain is never found because the busy man never realizes that he lacks the resources that are required to build the bridge to acceptance that he desperately labors for.
Neither Honor God
God is not honored by either of these two lifestyles because neither recognizes God as supreme. Paul teaches to “eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) The way that we live should give God glory. This must be our purpose and aim. Let us leave the couch and mindless tasks behind and let us strive to please our Father, and in all we do, whether we work or rest, may it be done for the glory and honor of God!
Great post bro. Really thoughtful, and a good reminder that the gospel is a third way, not simply a righteous or unrighteous. Keep up the great work here!