Do Not Be Idle

          Reading in Proverbs today is very convicting to me.  We are called to work while in this world and in this Proverb we are given the ant as an example.  Although there are harsh words here we must consider they are told to us in love, to motivate us to a better way of living that is honoring to God.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

Proverbs 6:7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

Proverbs 6:8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

Proverbs 6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—

Proverbs 6:11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.

          True for myself I had lost my last job due to problems within the company and they just could not afford to keep me on, but that does not give me the right to sit around while I wait for something else to come back from my applications.  Work has to continue.  In my defense however work in other areas that does not put bread on my table, but does bring glory to God continues.  Work here on this daily devotional, work on this blog, continued schooling to prepare myself for a life of service to God, work in the prayer room at church and witnessing to others about the saving grace of God, and premarital counseling to couples preparing for a committed life together for God.

          I understand also that I am to put food on the table for my family and God has blessed me with income resulting from my time in the military.  I still have to find the means that will supplement that more and allow me to honor God in the process.  

          So when we think about the ant and the work it does, where do we fall in comparison to the ant.  Is there more we could be doing?  Is there more we should be doing?  I am not saying we cannot enjoy some rest to a point, but if we truly love God with all our hearts, mind, strength, and soul would we ever want to stop working for His glory and spreading the Good News of salvation.  There can be no rest in this area of our lives till the day comes when we are reunited with Christ.  Our very lives should be a shinning example to others and this is the work we must carry on.