The world will tell you to take a break, kick back, and do nothing. You deserve it, after all. You’ve been pretty busy, and now is your chance to binge-watch a series for hours on end or take a long nap. Maybe stay in bed for a few days. It’s cold out, you reason, and you don’t feel like doing anything.

So you don’t.

You decide to set aside your to-do lists. Set your engine to idle. Let others go and do all the work. You’ve done enough, and you’ve got enough to get by. Your plan is to simply coast the rest of the way; take it easy until God takes you home.

Oh, precious soul. There’s nothing wrong with stepping back to rest, taking a break, or being still. We need to take time to listen for our Shepherd’s voice, to be still and know that He is God, and pull away from the busyness and distractions to draw closer to God.

Being still with the Lord is not the same as being idle. Idle is living without purpose, being lazy, and spending your time doing nothing. The world may even tell you “doing nothing” is something to brag about.

It’s not.

God’s plan for your life involves LIVING with great purpose:

Living for the One who created you.

Living for the One who died for you.

Living for the One who lives within you.

And living so others can see God in you, hear His voice through your own, and feel His arms wrapping around them when you pull them in for a hug. Living in this way is an action spurred on by love.

The Lord won’t work you until you drop. He knows when you need a break and when you need to rest. Think about it. Almighty God worked for six days and rested for one. He’s instructed us to do the same.

Scripture is filled with warnings about poverty and lack when a person avoids work, moves about without ambition, and lives for comfort in the moment.

If you live your life doing all you can to avoid working, having no real purpose, or floating aimlessly, it will be like waking up one day to realize the watch you’ve been wearing has stopped.

You are out of time.

You slept your life away. Or perhaps you simply spent more time staring at a screen than looking into the eyes of those needing Jesus Christ, the One you were supposed to share with those hungry for purpose, longing to be loved, needing to be saved.

But you thought you had more time. You thought you had more time to store up treasures in heaven – those things that will last. You thought you would check in with God later in life to see why He created you.

Only LATER eluded you and never made it to your doorstep.

What will you have to show for your time on earth? Have you stored up any treasures in heaven? What will your heavenly Father say when you see Him on the threshold of His mansion?

If you’re feeling discouraged that you’ve been idle for far too long, realize this: Your watch is still ticking. You have time right NOW. Wake up, precious soul, and use your time wisely:

Build the Kingdom.

Love others.

Speak the truth.

Help those in need.

Visit the lonely.

Text a family member.

Forgive a coworker.

Bless those who can’t bless you in return.

Go hard after God with everything you’ve got.

Be bold for Jesus Christ.

Let the Holy Spirit use you to shake this sleeping, lethargic, and idling world awake. There is much work to be done. Don’t waste your time being idle. Be about your Father’s business.

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV.)

---