When Life Gets Too Convenient

The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

Proverbs 26:13 NLT

I remember when I first encountered 7-Elevens and how they changed my gas-station world. But when life gets too convenient . . . well . . .

Prior to their appearance, gas (filling) stations, not convenience stores, filled my young world in the Deep South. In fact, I had no idea what a convenience store was. Gas stations existed for refueling, having the oil checked, having the windshield cleaned, having the tire pressure checked, and, if needed, having mechanical work done.

And none of the above, especially the mechanical work, did the person buying the fuel do. A long hose extended over the ground from the attendant’s office to the gas tanks. When a customer pulled up and ran over the hose, a bell rang inside the building, alerting the attendant that a customer needed service.

Oil cans and maps decorated the island between the gas tanks. Back then, cars often burned oil and needed some replenishing. Having the cans at the ready was convenient. And no GPS existed, nor did Smartphones, so maps of various states for purchase came in handy for travelers.

Old gas stations’ conveniences included only restrooms, crackers, chips, chewing gum, and candy. Most of these were situated behind the attendant’s desk and in much smaller quantities than today’s convenience store setup. The drink machine often sat outside the front door.

7-Eleven stores also changed the hours at which gas stations stayed open. As the name implies, the 7-Elevens opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 11 p.m. In my Southern world of Blue Laws, this was an amazing change. And they offered many conveniences, including allowing customers to pump their own gas rather than having an attendant do it. Inside was a world of junk food, snacks, sodas, alcohol, travel needs, and fast food.

Many other store brands have now expanded the convenience that 7-Elevens brought. Gone are the days of someone pumping our gas, checking our oil, washing our windshields, checking our tire pressure, and adding needed fluids.

But when life gets too convenient, falling into the trap of laziness becomes easy, and it can include procrastination. Although I’m sure it wasn’t original to him, Dad always said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”

And on one of the Andy Griffith shows, Opie’s hobo friend said when faced with work he didn’t want to do, “It’s the most perfect day to start any job: tomorrow. Most marvelous day that was ever invented. Why, there’s absolutely nothing a man can’t do . . . tomorrow” (Opie’s Hobo Friend).

Technological advances certainly make our lives easier. Yet if we don’t treat our devices with respect and use them to work more diligently or efficiently, they can lure us into laziness. Instead, we should use technology—especially in our AI world—as a tool, not a substitute for using our God-given talents and gifts.

In Solomon’s world, the lazy man used the “There’s a lion outside” excuse to get out of work. Our world offers many similar excuses.

Instead, the Bible instructs us to do all we do for the glory of God and as if we were working for God. After all, we are.

At whatever you work, do your best, not less. Use technological advances to work smart, but work hard. God praises diligence.

Don’t let convenience lead you to laziness.