No Slackers!

Slackers! Just to say it -- simply to have the word roll off the tongue -- doesn’t seem right. When we consider a cable or rope having slack in it we would take note of the lack of support that might be there. The same is true when people approach labors with slackness. Slackers are those who try to get by with doing the least that might be necessary. And if a way can be found to not do something at all -- that is considered by them to be even better.

How do we feel about slackers? Or, more importantly, what is God’s view, especially when it comes to His purposes?

Reading through Jeremiah this week I was struck by a passage which I immediately underlined. After completing my morning reading I went back and read it again, printed it out, and put it on the wall in my office where I will see it on a regular basis. It is only the first part of the passage which I printed out, but here is the whole verse with the part which ought to convict us in capital letters.

“CURSED IS HE WHO DOES THE WORK OF THE LORD WITH SLACKNESS, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.” ( Jeremiah 48:10 ESV)

The emphasis of this verse was specifically associated with the judgment God had directed toward the wickedness of Moab, with the point being that whatever God declared would happen was to be carried out with diligence. There was to be NO HOLDING BACK. His Will was to be CARRIED OUT COMPLETELY. And is that not what God expects with any of His commands?

Perhaps the spirit of such willingness to GIVE IT OUR ALL may be summed up in the words of Solomon when he stated, “Whatever your hand finds to do, DO IT WITH YOUR MIGHT,….” ( Ecclesiastes 9:10a ESV) Is the spirit being revealed in our lives?

As we focus on carrying out the Will of God, may we always give serious consideration to our attitude and willingness to serve His purposes. When it comes to the things of God, that is not the area of our life to cut corners, aim to just get by, or hold back in any way. Instead, let us always be mindful of offering God our VERY BEST EFFORTS. After all, where has He ever cut corners in blessing our lives?

Have a great day MARKED BY DILIGENT EFFORT TO GOD’S GLORY!
Carl

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