Don’t get sluggish

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6v11-12

Ouch. What a perfect time to come across this verse. This is our fourteenth Christmas fortnight in Ireland. I have to say that we have become fully culturally acclimatised to this strange two week period. For several years everything was basically shut down over ‘the Christmas.’ Things have changed and now many shops are open, but it is still a very unusual time. People may get together a bit, but basically people just tend to vegetate in front of the telly watching a plethora of ‘Christmas movie.’ Of kind of Christmas lethargy and sluggishness develops.

I guess in some ways that is okay. We stay busy right up through Christmas with church activities, but from then right up until the new year there is very little going on. It is a nice break and something of a holiday for us. I know that God has nothing against a little break now and then, but if I am not very careful I can allow that the physical sluggishness become spiritual sluggishness.

It is today, right in the middle of this unusual time that I come across this passage – ‘don’t become sluggish.’ Instead we are encouraged to ‘show the same diligence and imitate those who endure on with faith and patience.’

This time period is an easy one in which to let our guard down. Thank God for this reminder to avoid the spiritual sluggishness which has a way of slipping in.