Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

These days, it seems like we’re all feeling the pressure to chase after the next big, shiny thing. Whether it's status, success, or the kind of life that looks impressive on social media, the world constantly pushes us to want more. If we’re honest, that chase often leaves us feeling empty and discontent. And when discontentment drives our decisions, we find ourselves heading down paths that don’t bring peace or purpose.

My father-in-law used to say, “A smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”

In today’s chapter, Solomon shares some wisdom about laziness and a lack of intention in Proverbs 24:30-34. I don’t know if he gained this wisdom from his own experiences or those of others, but here is what he has to share:

“I went by the field of a slacker,
and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense.
Thistles had come up everywhere,
weeds covered the ground,
and the stone wall was ruined.
I saw, and took it to heart;
I looked, and received instruction:
a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need like a bandit.”

Solomon paints a vivid picture of an abandoned vineyard that was once full of so much potential, but has been neglected.

When we view life through the lens of comparison, we can easily become far too focused on how everyone else’s life looks. If we aren’t careful, we will be too distracted to notice that the goodness in our own lives begins to fade away. That’s right, the moment we stop tending to what God has entrusted to us, we risk losing it entirely. 
We miss the opportunity to make new memories and savor special moments in the home that we forget to be thankful for. 
We fail to slow down and be truly present with our children when we hyper-focus on chasing after the next big paycheck. 
We allow our marriages to fall apart when we over-criticize and fail to appreciate the beauty in our spouses.

Your vineyard (your life, your home, and your relationships) can be full of abundance. But like any living thing, it requires our care and attention.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be wise. I want to learn from what Solomon saw in the slacker’s field, and not wait until my own vineyard is overgrown and broken down.

My hope for you is this:

That you would slow down long enough to see the beauty of your own vineyard. 
That you would cherish the people, places, and blessings God has already placed in your life.
That you would pour into them, not out of obligation, but from a heart of gratitude and devotion.
Because when we stop chasing what’s out there and begin nurturing what’s right here, something shifts, and we begin to live in the richness of a life that is tended to with love and intention.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.