Laziness

Need a Break

There is a temptation that is both common and subtle. It is to relax into comfortable laziness that is not honoring to God or profitable for us. We are finite creatures and so we require rest. Oftentimes as with other good things that we have a need of like food we can begin to use our need as an excuse for excess. This is a reality most often in my own life when I replace genuine rest with glutinous entertainment. Of course I will excuse this use of time as “winding down,” but often this does not serve the purpose of rejuvenation that rest should bring. In our fallenness, we tend to go to extremes, whether that is working too hard without the rest we need, or being too relaxed without accomplishing what we should be doing. This could be caused by a lack of focus or it could even be a lurking sort of rebellion against the commands and calling that God has placed on our lives. At any rate, while we do need rest we must be vigilant that we are not making an excuse for being a sluggard (Proverbs 6:6-11).

Need to Work

Laziness can also contribute to more tiredness than strenuous work. We need to be using our muscles for the tasks that they were created for. God has made us to be working and toiling creatures for His glory. We all have experienced soreness or pain that can come from being immoble for too long. Think about what it is like when someone has not been able to use an appendage because of an injury. The arm that has been in a cast for 6 weeks will be weak from prolonged rest. The rest was necessary for the healing process but the muscles will need some rehabilitation to regain their strength and functionality. However, people can also have this same type of atrophy from prolonged periods of voluntary inactivity (Proverbs 19:23-24). We can become less able because of our own lack of discipline and effort. 

We must understand that God did not create us for ease and luxury, but rather for His glory! In the garden, man was given work and dominion before the fall (Genesis 1:28-31). Of course, the hard and hated part of working is a result of the fall but the purpose and fulfillment of a good day's work is meant for our good. We will have important work to do in the age to come as well. Remember that the scriptures teach that our future is one in a real world with real bodies worshiping and serving our real King (Revelation 22:1-5).

Need to Rest

However, even in our effort we must always be at rest. This may sound like a contradiction but what Jesus came to do for us is give us rest. The rest is not in a place but in a person. Our sabbath rest is to be found in Christ not only on the Lord’s day or in the age to come but everyday as we rest from our seeking to earn favor, grace or salvation from God through our merit (Hebrews 4:1-13). As believers we do strive to please the Lord but not to get something we don’t have but rather because of what we have already received from Him: amazing grace, steadfast love, and sure hope! ​

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