I was out of town over the weekend and was pondering something on the drive home as the rest of the family was snoring in the car. Throughout Proverbs, the word “sluggard” is used in a negative way and since sluggard is not a commonly used term these days, I felt compelled to look it up.
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Definition of SLUGGARD
: a habitually lazy person
Synonyms: couch potato, deadbeat, do-nothing, drone, idler, layabout, loafer, lotus-eater, slouch, slug, slugabed, lazybones
Antonyms: doer, go-ahead, go-getter, hummer, hustler, rustler, self-starter
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Given this definition, it is best to avoid being a couch potato, deadbeat, do-nothing, loafer, slouch, slug, and lazybones. I don’t know what a lotus-eater is, but I think I get the picture. I want to strive to be the antonyms such as doer, go-ahead, go-getter, and self-starter. I’m not real sure about hustler or rustler though.
When it comes to terms like this, there are two ways to look at it. One is to set forth a definition to size up others (so-and-so is such a sluggard), and the other is figure out ways that we are being a sluggard and stop. There are some days/times that I want to veg or slug-out if you will. I find a great way to do this is by fishing which is an active way to be lazy. It’s also a great way to spend time with my kids and enjoy time together and maintain a good relationship. I’m also trying to figure out if playing golf is being a sluggard. I usually walk and getting good exercise. I also like to spend an afternoon on the course just focusing on God. I think it might be a matter of over-doing it ( i.e. – does golf / fishing take priority over chores and family time?)
Lord, I know that I am not habitually lazy, but I want to make sure that I am living life as you would have me. I pray for those who struggle with habitual laziness, especially where it leads to bad habits.
shaneknick 