II Thessalonians 3:11
“For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies”.
Paul makes reference to a disciplined life. It’s made in connection to working. God installed work as a major part of creation and daily life. Six out of seven days were spent working. That a huge percentage.
Our culture puts much emphasis on self esteem. Work, being productive and a quality product is part of the bible’s recipe for a healthy self image. We were built to be productive.
If we are slothful, there will be much emptiness. Sometimes these individuals try to gain validation by other means. Hence the reference to busybodies. These create problems or over inflate them. They gossip and make themselves feel important by being in the center of things.
Working is part of having a disciplined life. To be disciplined conjures up the image of a military individual or an athlete. Military in the sense that the bed is made, exercise is done and the life tasks are done well and with efficiency. Athletes are disciplined as they push themselves beyond pain and train themselves at a high level. They are acquainted with the mundane, they push past that.
To be lazy is to do only what one feels. They know that particular tasks should be done. They put those off because they aren’t motivated. Disciplined individuals are motivated by job or higher goals. They’ve learned to feed off the small rewards of job completion or a job well done. Often the gratification is delayed. To be disciplined is to accept that.
Lord, help us to put the lazy inclinations with. Help us to be disciplined.