Don’t Think; Do It!

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (2 Thess. 3:13)

I always wondered what it would be like to retire from work and have nothing to do all day. I couldn’t imagine the day when my husband and I would sit in rocking chairs with nothing to do but read the newspaper. I needn’t have worried. I soon found out that retirement was just a change of schedule. We’re as busy now as we ever were. We no longer have to keep the same stringent hours, and our monthly income is much reduced. Yet we always have work to do, people to help, and schedules to maintain.

I have noticed that many who do not keep busy can start to gossip. They become troublemakers—just as Paul suggested in today’s passage. He warned us against getting involved with such people. He suggested that by avoiding them, we will cause them to feel ashamed. This is not because we want to turn our backs on them, but rather out of love for them. For their own good, they need to get busy and do worthwhile things with their time.

If we want to live rewarding lives, we dare not allow ourselves to slip into idleness. God has blessed us with the ability to work, whether it is manual labor, or bringing joy to a lonely person. We should never tire of doing right and bringing blessing to those around us.

What job have you been putting off? Do it today.

Shirley M. Corder is an RN and pastor’s wife. She lives with her husband near the sea in South Africa, and enjoys walking on the beach.

—Shirley M. Corder