The Danger Of Doing Nothing

What are you putting off that you know you should be doing?

Could there be seeds that you are expecting to grow that you never actually planted?

Is it possible that you’re waiting on God to move, while He’s waiting on you to act?

Proverbs 20:4 (NCV) warns us, “Lazy farmers don’t plow when they should; they expect a harvest, but there is none.”

I personally think this verse may speak of more than just physical laziness. It challenges our relationship with timing, responsibility, and discipline.

The lazy farmer isn’t just inactive, he’s inactive when it matters most.

He skips the hard work of plowing, thinking maybe he’ll still get lucky at harvest time. But the laws of sowing and reaping still stand.

There can be no harvest where no seed was planted.

I think it may also be about missed opportunities.

There are seasons in life when the ground of your heart, your marriage, your children, or your calling needs plowing. Those seasons require attention, effort, and even sacrifice.

But if we ignore them, hoping things just might turn out okay, we may be setting ourselves up for disappointment.

For example, you can’t have a strong walk with God without prayer and time in His Word. You can’t have close relationships without investment. You can’t grow if you never start moving.

Is there something you need to be moving on and acting upon?

We also see a warning against spiritual procrastination. Sometimes we put off forgiving someone, reconciling with God, or stepping into obedience because “we’ll get to it later.” But later doesn’t always come.

Solomon once said: “Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant. Those who look at every cloud will never harvest.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 N’CV)

Waiting for the “right time” may become an excuse to avoid what needs to be done now.

The Apostle Paul said “People harvest only what they plant.” (Galatians 6:7 NCV)

Are we hoping for peace but sowing anxiety? Are we longing for closeness with God but investing in everything but Him? If so, maybe the lack of harvest isn’t God’s failure, it may be our neglect.

The Apostle James said: “Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning.” (James 4:17 NCV) I think that may mean delay isn’t neutral, it’s disobedience in disguise.

I think everyone knows that you cannot expect a harvest from seeds you never sowed.

There is a window for planting, for healing, for growth, for repentance, and that window doesn’t stay open forever.

I say don’t wait for the perfect time or moment. Just draw that line now. Write “start” and get at it. It may be tad messy or disorganized - that’s okay. As you move forward, you gain clarity. It will become more clear.

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and give you insight. He will lead you in the right direction - just trust Him.

They key? Start now. When you mess up - and you will - just start again. You will move forward - I promise. God promises.

LORD, I pray for anyone who needs to move. To start forgiving, to start working hard at that thing that’s hard. To gain a friend to help. Please Holy Spirit, step in and help - we always need your help. IJNIP amen ♥️