If we want to decrease both our level of busyness and our level of laziness, we need a purpose that will simultaneously move us into a greater level of investment and free us from the compulsion to be constantly in motion.

If you’re like most people, the answer to the question, “How are you doing?” at this time of year is one word:

Busy.

You probably wouldn’t respond with, “Lazy.” Nobody would. Not with all the activities, work priorities, family responsibilities, and a host of other things. In fact, if we opened up our calendars, we would likely see appointments, meetings, and errands clogging each and every day. Perhaps we would even think ourselves so busy that the idea of being lazy is laughable.

That is how we often think about these two things—busyness and laziness—they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. What, then, can these two states have in common? A couple of things, really.

First of all, the Bible warns us against both. The book of Proverbs speaks many times against the danger of laziness, but in particular here:

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man (Prov. 6:6-11).

But the Bible also speaks about the danger of being too busy:

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