Laziness and Faith

Indeed, I have come to a certain part of the summer where my normal schedule is to have no schedule. My appointments change from day to day and I often flounder between sleep, cleaning, and making food. I do not want this to sound like a problem. For, I have thoroughly enjoyed this season of summer. I haven’t had a summer off in about 8 years. So, this rhythm feels fun, fresh, and a bit childish. Part of me wonders if I am reverting back to old ways of thinking and being that I grew out of long ago.

In this season, a question that I keep circling back to is: How should I spend my time? I often fill my time with things that I like to do. This time also involves being lazy. 

Laziness is always considered a negative in our society. I don’t disagree with this outlook but I have been wondering if we give it a bad rap for bad reasons. Americans love nothing more than to make money efficiently. Lots of our inventions are meant to help us do this. Many articles online tell me “How to make money in 5 easy side hustles." Even social media swamps us with these notions that an easy fix is available to use if only we would spend money, then make money.

This point of view is so pervasive, I see it in the church. Pastors or teachers will call the congregation to efficient use of our time so that God can make the most of our lives. We must not be idle. We must not be lazy.

I don’t disagree that laziness can breed very bad consequences, usually resulting in personal depression and low self worth. When gone unchecked, laziness produces results that are unsatisfying and terminally let us down from what we expect of ourselves. It can feel like goo or slime on the handle of a steering wheel that makes it all too easy to crash into the oncoming traffic. I get it. Laziness is a vice.

But how can I combat laziness in my life without the overconsumption of work? How can I be diligent without putting all my hope in what I produce?

These questions have been on my mind lately.

Laziness has its limits, this is true. So, what is my alternative? 

I have been looking to the Bible for answers. Here, I find relevant truths that are unchanging but also quench my weary soul in ways that no self-help book or philosophical quote has ever been able to do.

My laziness often comes because I am weary from work. I don’t want to do it any more: Jesus reminds me that in Matthew:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Okay, so when I feel weary I need to do Jesus’ work. But what does Jesus want me to do exactly?

He tells his disciples to “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” 

So as we approach Jesus, the work we are meant to do is draw near to him. We get to know him more. Then he will send us out to meet and share with others. It’s rather simple. It almost feels too simple. The “it’s quiet… too quiet” moment.

Can that really be all there is to it?

I believe that this simple answer is also the true one. As I struggle with laziness, I must not combat it with working hard or piling on a to-do list. Instead, I must draw near to Jesus. Drawing near does not need to be inaction, rather I can spend time praying, reading the Bible, and writing.

I have struggled to see how these actions fix laziness. They don’t seem to be the right antidote for the cure I am hoping for.

This got me thinking about “the cure”. What do I really want as a fix to my laziness?

Is it more work? More recognition?

When it boils down to it, I have realized that I desire recognition of my efforts more than anything else. This is why laziness can feel so destructive. But, God has been teaching me that not only is my laziness needing change, my motivation to get out of the laziness needs to change too.

This self reflecting has opened my eyes to my own personal motives and patterns. As I continue through this process, it feels a bit daunting. Do I really need to change my motivation too? Can’t I just change my daily habits and work load?

Jesus consistently calls his disciples to examine their hearts along with their actions. It is not enough that we do the right things, our hearts must be changing as well. How can I do this?

Jesus’ call rings out even truer than before, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Because Jesus is the risen Son of God, spending time with him really is the cure to my weary soul. It is the cure to my lazy soul too.

And so I have been challenged by this idea of laziness. I have been challenged to spend time with Jesus, and I have been challenged to reconsider my own motivations behind work and effort.

I do not want to pretend that I have figured it all out. Instead, I want to offer my own perspective as I grow and continue to draw near to Jesus. Practically, this has meant making special effort to invite Jesus into my daily routines. I have also spread my wings a little and joined a book club at church.

As I have done so, I have tasted the peace that Jesus offers. And I hope to continue to reflect, draw near, and grow with the help of the Holy Spirit.

How do you view laziness? What are ways that you try to 'draw near' to Jesus throughout your week?