Wednesday, July 6, 2011

What Motivates You?

"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.  
Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 
she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest."
Proverbs 6:6-8 

There are things that I love to do, and then there are things that I really don't like to do.  Sometimes the things I don't like to do make me feel like a sluggard.  Sluggards, it appears, must be motivated by some outside force--a chief, officer or ruler,or perhaps a threat.  I really don't like to dust, iron, or mop, and it seems that the only time I am really motivated to do a deep cleaning of my house is when company is coming.  Then I strike out like a banshee to get it spick and span.  (Or maybe it is the banshee yelling in my ear that I'm going to be embarrassed by the inch thick dust.)  Grandchildren, there's a new word for you to look up--banshee!

Both daughters have rather unsuccessfully tried to establish an ant farm so that the children could see the mechanics of the little creatures.  I have often been amazed at how they can carry a crumb that is many times their size, at how they are constantly on the go, and at how quickly they build their homes.  They never seem to get bored.  Bored.  I hate that word.  An encouragement to those who have children who are "bored."  PUT THEM TO WORK!  It's a great cure for boredom.  And it gives moms something extra to do, also--motivate their kids!

It seems that I am rambling this morning, but I think that we can learn a great lesson from this passage of Scripture.  There is never a time when we are permitted by Scripture to sit around lazy and bored.  God has much for us to do.  He has given us responsibility as husbands and wives and mothers and children to be good stewards of what He has given us.  He has made it our duty to be an example to the lost in both word and deed.  As it is our purpose in life to glorify God, then everything we do should be to His glory. 


"And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:17

"Whatever you do, work heartily, 
as for the Lord and not for men."  
Colossians 3:23


Planning a busy day (without company coming),
Gloria





 

2 comments:

Cranberry Morning

Oh Gloria, sigh!!! I'm with you on the dusting, mopping thing. But in my case, I have to vacuum regularly or we'd be living in dog hair a foot deep!

But I must say that it truly gives me a different attitude when I remember that I'm not only looking forward to living with Jesus 'someday,' but am walking in the Kingdom now!

LV

You hit the nail on the head today. I have a hard time getting motivated with house work. I need to mop right now, but keep saying I will do it another day.

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