JANUARY 21 - Wake Up and Step Up
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:6–11; Matthew 18
________________________________________
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” — Proverbs 6:6–8
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” — Proverbs 6:10–11
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:4
________________________________________
Have you ever hit snooze a few too many times, only to rush out the door feeling behind and unprepared? Or maybe you’ve procrastinated so long on a school project that panic finally kicked in the night before. We all face moments where it’s easier to chill than to act, but Proverbs 6:6–11 reminds us that laziness leads to more than just missed homework—it can impact our whole future.
And in Matthew 18, Jesus shifts our focus again, showing that the greatest in God’s Kingdom are those who are humble like children. These two passages may seem unrelated, but they both challenge us to wake up—literally and spiritually—and live with intentionality and humility.
________________________________________
THINK ABOUT IT
1. Learn from the Ant: Ants work hard, even when no one is watching. What motivates you when no one's pushing you? How can you build good habits that help you grow?
2. Be Alert, Not Asleep: Laziness doesn’t just waste time—it wastes potential. Where might you be “asleep” in your spiritual life or daily responsibilities?
3. Stay Humble, Stay Great: Jesus says greatness in the Kingdom starts with humility. What does it look like to be both humble and hardworking in your daily life?
________________________________________
BOTTOM LINE
God calls us to live awake—physically, mentally, and spiritually. When we combine diligence with a humble heart, we step into the kind of life He created us for.
________________________________________
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminders in Your Word to be wise, diligent, and humble. Help me not to waste the opportunities You’ve given me. Teach me to live with purpose and to serve others with a heart like Jesus’. Wake me up where I’ve been spiritually asleep and help me live each day for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
