Just Because You’re Working Doesn’t Mean You’re Doing Your Job

December 16, 2012

This is the sad truth I had to lay on my son this week. We have been studying Scripture passages that deal with taking the initiative. Monday we defined what initiative meant, read Ecclesiastes 10:18 that says, “Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks”, and discussed what that verse meant to him.

On Tuesday, he made a list of everything he could do without help that now hangs on his wall as a self-reminder.

On Wednesday, he made a list of everything Mommy did in one day without being told to do it. He then made a list of everything he did that day without being told. The list as you might suspect was a bit lopsided.

On Thursday we read passages that talked about laziness and what happens to the sluggard. We then discussed how those passages related to our buzz word for the week. We then wrapped up our study with some life application. Because what good is a study of God’s word if you cannot apply it to your own life?

I asked him, “Do you think you took the initiative this week?” His answer was “Yes!”

“Okay. When?”

“When I fed the rabbit.” Okay, I had to give him that one. It was, and is, the one thing he does without being told.

“What about the rest of the thing on your list?” I had him now. I knew it. But more importantly, he knew it. Now for the life application.

“Let’s take Daddy for example,” I said. “His job is to process milk. Let’s say he has to process 400 gallons of milk today but he only processes 100. Was he working?”

“Yes.”

“Did he do his job?”

“No.”

“Okay. Your job is to do the things on your list but, you only do one of them. You’re working, but you’re not doing your job.” Sounds of tiny little gears turning in his head could almost be heard.

Something must have clicked for him because that afternoon he made a list for his sisters of things they could do without being told. Maybe I’m getting somewhere after all?!?

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” –Proverbs 6:6-8

INI'TIATE, v.i. To do the first act; to perform the first rite.