Most definitions will say something like: (of people ) not working hard or lazy, an idle student
( of machines, factories, etc. ) not in use
to lie/stand/remain idle
( of people ) without work
unemployed
For our purposes we will say that idleness is a way of life of just doing and being about nothing. In our parlance we call it liming or hanging out...now there is nothing wrong with hanging out or even liming but never let it be a way of life.
What are some of the causes of idleness?
- The company you may keep ...if your friends are idle you will lean towards idleness
- Laziness can cause idleness we should call a spade as it is. Sometimes it is good old fashion laziness.
- Lack of ambition or a plan for your life.
- Depression - feeling so down-trodden that you decide to do nothing about it.
- Cynicism - when you think so what about every task given to you
- Rebellion to life - when others told you what to do and controlled your life in some aspect so now you decide that no one will ever instruct you again and instead of being productive you will just do nothing to get back at them.
- Perhaps even the way you were brought up with a life of ease and comfort.
How can one assess whether they are really idle?
Since idleness is linked to laziness I would like to suggest the following:
- Know what idleness is because in defining any problem will help you to effectively combat or deal with it.
- Learn how to avoid it at all cost.
- Check to see how much of your time is used doing what is constructive against doing nothing.
What are some of the consequences of idleness?
We can NEVER afford to be idle...just sitting twiddling our thumbs like my mom used to say.
Consequences of idleness are:
- You miss golden opportunities
- You lose valuable time which can never be regained. Remember time is a valuable resource God has given us. That is why Moses prayed in Psalms 90:12 [KJV] 'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.'
- You run the risk of giving in sub-standard work.
- People do entrust with any task
- You have a bad reputation at the end of the day because an idle person is an unfaithful person, so they are like putting your faith in someone who is like a broken leg
Are there Biblical principles which are useful even as we examine the issue of idleness?
Yes...many.
- Proverbs 6:6-11 CEV You lazy people can learn by watching an anthill. [7] Ants don't have leaders, [8] but they store up food during harvest season. [9] How long will you lie there doing nothing at all? When are you going to get up and stop sleeping? [10] Sleep a little. Doze a little. Fold your hands and twiddle your thumbs. [11] Suddenly, everything is gone, as though it had been taken by an armed robber.
- Proverbs 20:13 NIV Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
- Proverbs 24:33-34 MSG "A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next? [34] Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, with poverty as your permanent house guest!"
How does one transition from a life of idleness and embrace a meaningful life?
- Start with the little things by setting small benchmarks to reach.
- Ask someone [a loved one] or a group to help you monitor your progress
- Make a conscious decision to work diligently towards a goal...not a lofty one - reward yourself for achieving it.
Stop making excuses... and seek to find a way. My brother years ago we were playing game and I was losing against him and I started to complain about this not being right and found a few more excuses to throw in. He looked at me and said, "B, losers always have excuses but winners find a way!"
