What is on your agenda for this week? Do you feel like getting after it, or are you feeling more like “chilling” instead? That tendency is always there, isn’t it? We may be tempted to sleep a little longer, take a few more minutes scrolling on our phone, watching television, or reading a captivating book, but then we realize that so much time has passed and the opportunity to accomplish the said task is now either passed by, or is cut short.

Proverbs always motivates me and reminds me of the most practical steps to take each day. It is so applicable in regards to how I spend my time. Here’s what God says,

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding
Proverbs 12:11

I seriously doubt that any of us are hitching up the plow to go till our land today, but when I read this verse recently, the Lord reminded me if we will till that land, we will have bread! There is a blessing of staying at the task at hand! The Lord brought to my mind that we all have “land to till” and it shows itself in many different ways. Consider…

• Read the Word and you will be nourished.
• Give out the Word and people will get saved.
• Disciple someone and there will be spiritual fruit.
• Pour time into your marriage and it will be rich.
• Take time with your children and they will flourish.
• Care for your home and it will be welcoming.
• Plan for your meals and people will be satisfied.
• Nurture relationships and your life will be full.
• Feed your soul and you will grow.
• Memorize the Word and you will be grounded.
• Apply the word and you will be wise.

Nothing good ever “just happens.” It takes effort, discipline, planning, and hard work. The good news is that if you know Christ as your Savior, He is your Helper. Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. He will prod you and strengthen you, but then it is our responsibility to get after it and actually DO the task or work.

This verse in Proverbs also reminds us that the one who follows vain persons is void of understanding. But when we cave to the temptation to follow vain things – sleep, idle moments, and the like, we again reveal our lack of understanding.

How much wiser it is for us to till, rather than chill. What responsibilities are lacking because you’ve not had the motivation to get moving? Why not stop and ask the Lord for His wisdom as to how to get busy and also the strength to do it?

If you need some motivation, here are some posts about prioritizing your days here, here, and here,

Refresh your life by staying busy at the plow!