8

December

The sobering reality – a subtle inertia

“The sobering reality is that we don’t have to do much of anything for our world to cave in.  There is a subtle inertia in the most crucial area of our lives.  Things don’t get better on their own, but they do tend to decline on their own.”- Jeff Manion

“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.”- Proverbs 24:30-31 (NIV)

Moving on to Day 29 (“The Wall and the Weeds”), Week 6 of Dream Big, Think Small, Jeff Manion notes there’s one way for weeds to take over a garden.  Just leave it alone.  Weeds never need planting, cultivating, or fertilization.  Weeds simply happen.

Similarly, the weeds of envy, bitterness, and slow-burning rage grow in our lives.  As a result, one day we wake up to discover their presence.  We demand, “Where did you come from?”

Therefore Pastor Manion adds:

“Things unravel by doing nothing.  Weeds grow.  Walls crumble.  Slow and steady faithfulness will result in a harvest.  So will slow and steady neglect.”

Consequently, it seems that, all of a sudden, things implode or fall apart.  However, Jeff astutely notes, this so-called sudden disaster has been brewing for some time.  Thus, although the neglect happens gradually, the collapse seems sudden.

Hence, King Solomon described a subtle path to ruin, where apathy leads to the mess.  Rather than a single, huge mistake, slow and steady neglect allows the mess to grow.  As Jeff states, it’s Ant Power in reverse.

Finally, Pastor Manion exhorts:

“Don’t let your pain be wasted.  Use this challenging, humbling experience to begin building your life in a new and different way.  The pathway to a renewed life often passes through seasons of disorienting failure.  Don’t lose hope.  Today is a new day.”

Today’s question:  What Scriptures turn around the sobering reality that you need to do little for your world to cave in?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Repeated positive activity – devote yourself”

About the author 

Dave Henning

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