Three Pitfalls than can keep us from our purpose
Last time we talked about glorifying the Lord in managing our time.
Today, we are going to uncover 3 pitfalls that can keep us from our purpose.
1. Laziness
2. Pride and
3. Legalism
Laziness
The first is laziness. There are different degrees of laziness. And in all honesty, I've never seen a mom who sits on the couch, eating bon-bons and watching soap operas all day. No doubt there probably are some out there that fit that description. But this is not what I'm addressing. The laziness that I'm describing is more subtle.
First let's take a look at the Bible as our source of truth. Proverbs 18:9 tells us that "A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things." This verse says to me that when I am lazy, I'm just as guilty as the one who takes a hammer and destroys things. And we can look at this very practically as well. When we don't fix broken things right away, sometimes the situation gets worse so that it truly becomes unfixable or at least harder to fix.
So what kind of laziness is it that can plague us and keep us from our ultimate purpose?
I like how Vicki Norris of restoringorder.com describes this syndrome. She names this person the "Low Effort Man." The "low effort man" doesn’t want to change toilet paper roll or empty the dishwasher. She puts the empty container back in refrigerator or pantry instead of throwing it in the trash. She delays grading papers and writing lesson plans. You get the picture. Essentially, she doesn't do things right away, but leaves them for others to do.
So how can we avoid this pitfall? It all starts in the heart. Purpose to not be the "low effort man" in your family. When you find yourself falling into this temptation, repent and ask the Lord for help. And then trust Him to help you. Also, watch for this in your children and encourage them to give 100% as they are working.
I fall into this pit (and the others I'll be describing) often. The goal is not perfection. For we will never achieve that here on earth. But we want to be getting better. And so we look to the Lord who is the author of our faith, and who is the one who will finish it. And let's purpose today, to not be the "low effort man."
Pride
Next up is pride. Oh that I could be relieved of this awful sin! And I look forward to the day when I will be. But for now, I struggle and fight with this insidious power that overtakes me all too often.
A good look at the Word may help me. Proverbs 21:4 reminds me that "A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin." If we consider that plowing was a very mundane normal kind of job in an agrarian society, then we can compare plowing to things like washing dishes, vacuuming the carpets, cleaning the bathroom. Even when we are doing everyday tasks if our heart is proud and haughty, then we are in sin.
Matthew Henry, the famous theologian, gives this commentary, “They do all to serve their lusts, and have no regard to the glory of God in it, and therefore their plowing is sin.” Here is the attitude that I want to being organized for others to admire ME! This can be a very tiring and unfulfilling way to live. Don't ask me how I know. But let's just say that it's much easier to live for the glory of God for "his yoke is easy and his burden is light."
Legalism
And so we come to our last pitfall--legalism. Here is the person who makes a schedule and follows it to a T. Legalism is defined as a strict adherence to the plan without regard to context or the spirit of the plan. I would also add here that it is important to have time for resting relaxing. For even God rested on the 7th day as an example for us to follow. So be carefu to not overschedule or to be so devoted to your schedule that you are married to it.
Life happens and you may not be able to follow a schedule perfectly. A schedule is a tool, not a law. In fact, I prefer the term routine. A routine can be defined as a regular pattern reinforced by habit. It gives us a flow to our day, but helps us to be flexible when life happens and as opportunities and situations arise. On a given day, who knows what will happen? Perhaps a friend will call and need your help or prayers. You may have a sick child or lots of doctor appointments. A particular child may need extra help with an assignment or with their attitudes. All these "interruptions" in life are just more opportunities to glorify God in how you respond.
So let's encourage one another to avoid these pitfalls and to seek to glorify the Lord. We will all fail at various times, but the Good News is that there is "therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Next time, we will look at Logistics. What all is there to fit into our days ? And what shortcuts can we employ to help us accomplish it all?
May the Lord be glorified in us today!
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