go to the ant!

Today we read Proverbs 12:24 in the One Year Bible. It's very simple, but pretty profound. It says, "Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."

That's true in more ways than one. Of course, if you're diligent at work and always work hard, you're likely to be noticed and promoted to a leadership position. And if you're lazy and don't take initiative, you'll always be at the bottom of the pecking order at work.

But it's more than that. If you work diligently at your interests, you will become master of them. Say you like painting. If you take some time every day to practice your painting, you'll eventually become good enough at it that you can "lead" in that area - maybe teaching others to paint, or even exhibiting your work for purchase in a gallery or on a sidewalk where artists share their stuff. If nothing else, you will probably become proficient enough to create your own decorative work for your home.

However, if you're lazy about your habits, you'll become a slave to your own procrastination and laziness. You'll begin to despise your own habits of laying around the house, watching TV shows that you don't even like, eating food that isn't good for you, and becoming depressed. If you want to be depressed, ignoring your interests and spending all your time eating junk food, not exercising, and watching banal TV is a good way to get depressed.

So it's up to you! Start some habits today, getting some exercise, practicing your interests, and turning the TV off when nothing good is on. Eat some healthy food. Work hard at your interests, and see where they take you!

God, thanks for giving us such practical advice.