If there’s one thing every coach hates, it’s laziness. Coaches prize players who hustle, give full effort, work hard, and get the most out of their ability. Lazy players, regardless of their talent, are eventually a detriment to the team.
The problem is no one wants to admit he’s lazy. Here’s how to know.
1. Those who are lazy see a problem and only talk about it.
Proverbs 26:13–“The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!'”
Problem: Lion in the street.
Obvious solution: Figure out a way to kill it.
Lazy man’s way out: Yell for someone else to do something.
2. Those who are lazy are difficult to motivate.
Proverbs 26:14–“As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.”
Do extra work? Please.
Get up a little earlier? Um, no.
Stay later and help? You must be joking.
3. Those who are lazy think everything is difficult.
Proverbs 26:15–“The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.”
That’s asking too much. There’s no way. That’s not possible. It’s too difficult. I don’t feel like it.
4. Those who are lazy believe they are the smartest person in every room.
Proverbs 26:16–“The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer.”
Pay no attention to experience. Listen to no one who has been there before. Keep thinking that older people are irrelevant and stupid. Do all of this and you’re on your way to being a fool who doesn’t know he’s a fool.
From the time he created the world, God told his people to be proactive and productive. Jesus told the disciples to “go” in order to be used by God. His grace is certainly free and can never be earned by our actions, but God has not called us to live passive, lazy lives in his service. Just like the coach who despises laziness in his players, God won’t tolerate it either.
Lord Jesus, I’m so thankful that you weren’t lazy in your obedience to the Father. Teach me to be like you. Show me when I’m being lazy in any area of my life. Amen.
