The Devil’s Workshop

I don’t like giving the enemy any headlines. But I sensed I needed to blatantly warn my readers to “KEEP OUT” of the devil’s workshop! Proverbs 16:27 says: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.” I read those words and had to perform open heart surgery on myself; rather, look in and outside to see if I am being idle.

I think I passed the test since I write these blogs and spend up to three hours a day on them. I work out at least an hour several days a week. I go to Bible Studies. I serve at two churches. I volunteer at the Family Center two full days a week. When I’m at home, I’m usually catching up on my “to-do” list like bookkeeping, home-cleaning, personal devotions, counseling family and friends. I have little time to be idle, but maybe I need to be sure I’m NOT hanging out in the devil’s workshop.

I needed to research this debacle. I found that the landowner had an issue with some folks who were hanging out on the corner waiting for someone to give them work to do: “Why do you stand here idle all day?” (Matthew 20:6)

The word ‘idle’ has new meaning to me as I serve at the Family Center. Never are we idle. We are either showing someone items they must have, or they need some love and a little time to express their pain and suffering, or helping navigate the crowds (like the traffic control we need on Saturdays for the hundreds that come to the Food Pantry).

Honestly, I love it, but there are times that it is laborious, rarely idle. It may look like we’re idle standing on our feet all day, but believe me, my feet and back say otherwise.

In today’s culture, we are rarely idle. In fact, most of us don’t stop till we hit the pillow at night. We are used to serving in a way that feels fulfilling, has purpose, and provides accolades for our work and achievements. But, then the enemy whispers in our ears: “Come to my workshop where I can give you a dose of pride!”

Yikes! Even me sharing that I am rarely idle sounds pride filled. That question: “Why do you stand here idle all day?”, caused me to reflect.

“Am I idle in my spiritual life? Am I seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness or am I too idle to notice? And flip the coin, am I too busy and God is calling me to BE idle so I might grow in my fellowship with Him?”

There will come a day when we will be idle because our bodies have grown weak and frail. I see that firsthand with people that come in the Family Center in their wheelchairs or having to use a cane to maneuver their way. God calls us to NOT be idle by being His hands and feet daily. We must make sure we’re always “ready, willing and able” to respond to the call.

The Apostle Paul believed in the power of a positive attitude. His motto was, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) May the same be said of you and me today.