Proverbs 24: Time Change and Change Time

Proverbs 24:33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Prov 22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

But Solomon didn’t have Daylight Savings Time…

The alarm starts going off an hour earlier, and I’m tempted to hit the snooze an extra time. A few days in, and I’m grateful for the time change, because it heralds the long sunny hours of summer. Seasonal shake-ups get us moving, if we’re willing to take advantage of them. When fall blows in, my inner bear starts yawning, but if the sun’s setting at six and winter is on the way, I’m motivated to get on my bike or go to one of my favorite hiking spots instead of taking a Sunday afternoon nap. During March, when spring winks coyly, then flits away, I know I’d better grab her hand and twirl her across the floor when I get the chance. If I get only one warm afternoon in a week, I’d better wash my snow-blackened car (It snows oil in Tulsa) instead of sitting on the couch.

The change of the season is just one example. Are you experiencing uncertainty or change at work? You could give in to discouragement or fear—”There’s a lion in the streets!” Or you could find ways to grow your skills, increase your network or ask God for other productive actions you can take. Warning: when an idea for action strikes, don’t strike it out with reasons it won’t work (the lion might eat me!). Write it down and think about what steps might make it work, even if they are stretch-steps. Take the first step within 24 hours. God is likely to start sending you connections and resources if He sees you moving.

God is limitless in resources, but our stamina sometimes lags and needs the boost that comes with imposed limits. When your boundaries start to shift, get moving.

Get a laugh and some extra motivation with this video by Mike Rayburn.It’s about an hour long but it’s fun, so bookmark it for tonight and sit down with a friend and some popcorn. He’s even better in person, so if you’re in charge of event planning somewhere, hit him up.

Lord, help us to learn to rest in You, but please put spurs in our saddles when we get lazy. We want to be ready for whatever You have planned, so we can experience Your life to the fullest.