"I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding and common sense; And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, And nettles were covering its surface, And its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I considered it well; I looked and received instruction.“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],”Then your poverty will come as a robber, And your want like an armed man". - (Proverbs 24:30-34) AMP

At my job, for years I've had the privilege and responsibility of taking care of the grass, keeping it cut and trimmed when needed.

But, for various reasons, I hadn't taken the time to cut it for a long while; it's literally been over a month since I last cut it.

This morning I decided that "enough was enough" and I went to finally cut it.

It turned out to be worse than it actually appeared to be, and I had my work cut out for me.

While I was working, I couldn't help but think on the text I shared above, because I knew that what I was dealing with was solely the result of both laziness and neglect.

I had to do "twice" the work that it normally takes to get it cut because it was so thick and wet in the middle. But I resolved in my mind, when it was all over, that I would never let that happen again because I wouldn't want to pay the price of toiling to get it back right.

Yet, the case can be almost exactly the same when it comes to the upkeep of our souls and spiritual well-being. Ultimately, it is God that works in us, both to will and to do of His (own) good pleasure... (Philippians 2:13). 

But we too have a responsibility to search him out daily, pray unceasingly, and study his word for the nurture and benefit of our souls.

If we "neglect" to do so, the end results could prove dangerous, and we could end up paying a price that we really don't want to pay.

Lord, help us to not be negligent or lazy with the upkeep of our souls; but grant that we seek you daily for our nurture and nourishment.

In Jesus Name.

May God Bless and Keep each of You Today,

Pastor Lowe