The Sluggard and the Anxious — CJ Quartlbaum
We’ve come to the end of another year. 2021 somehow dragged and flew by at the same time. Nevertheless, we look ahead to 2022 and start thinking of goals and resolutions (and if you’re like me, you did that two months ago). We make plans and set intentions with the hopes of next year being better than this one.
Planning for the future is a good thing. Proverbs 13:22 says a good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren. That is a solid reminder of how our planning today can have ripple effects on those around us. Naturally, taken too far, we can try to control every aspect of our futures. This leaves us overly stressed and anxious as we try to choreograph every step we take.
I have found that in our little Christian bubbles, there is often an emphasis on pursuing excellence. Our lives become engrossed with being excellent in every area. While on some level this is good, we want to give our all, working as for the Lord (), it is important to remember that Jesus’ entire life was one big billboard screaming that we are not and can not be perfect.
The other side of this coin is the sluggard. The person who does not plan for the future and is just a leaf blown by the wind unable to think beyond today. This is the haphazard life that is unscheduled and often careless. This is the person for whom Proverbs 6:9 asks, how long will you sleep?
Outcomes
If you are the over planner, my question is, what has the anxiety done for you? The constant stress and worrying does nothing but take years off of your life . Life perpetually reminds us that we are not in control. How many of our plans actually turn out the way we want them to?
I am more this type of person. I have endless spreadsheets, goal lists, and projections but I don’t think I have ever seen a plan go through how I dreamt it from start to finish. I’ve been sharing all year about my struggles with anxiety and worry about the future and I always come back to Jesus saying, who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? ()
I have found that for those of us who deal with this it reveals a lack of trust in God as a provider. We think our bank accounts can save us like life doesn’t give us troubles that money isn’t a balm for. If we’ve learned anything over the last two years, it’s truly that money is not going to keep us healthy, happy, and whole long term.
The other end is the lazy person for whom life is harder in the long run. It can seem as though their lives are easy and they live with no worries but more often than not, they’re hurting themselves. The lack of wisdom will often show itself as they grow and mature. Buying a home becomes difficult because of financial irresponsibility when they were younger. Health fades sooner because caring for their bodies wasn’t deemed a priority. This is the direct result of floating through life, doing what feels good today, and not being a good steward of your resources.
Tertium Quid (funky Latin term meaning third way)
Of course there is a better way. Like Job we can find solace in the sovereignty of God. We say naked we came and naked we will go, he gives and he takes away, blessed be his name (). Therefore, we don’t find our hope in our plans and what we can store up.
If the struggle for you is laziness and focus then Proverbs 12:11b serves as a good reminder: he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. If you are the sluggard then it is time to wake up.
We need to make the best use of the talents God has given us and trust him with the results. Most importantly though, Like Paul in Philippians 4 , we learn contentment whether we have a lot or a little. The quality of our lives isn’t determined by what we’ve stored up but by the God we serve.
The abundant life Jesus promised us speaks to the condition of our hearts, not our wallets or the free time we’ve gained by not being attached to anything. It’s about where we’ve placed our hope. And that is where both the sluggard and the anxious get it wrong. They’ve placed their hope in the wrong places. As always, Jesus is calling us back to him.
There is freedom at the cross. As we enter the new year, I pray that we make all the resolutions, all the goals, challenge ourselves to greater maturity, but find our hope in Jesus.
Originally published at https://www.cjquartlbaum.com on December 17, 2021.