Leaky Roofs and Idle Hands
The only way to keep the roof up and the leaks out is by owning the problem and working toward the solution, not as a victim, but as someone who refuses to let decay and ruin prevail.
"Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks."
Ecclesiastes 10:18
This morning, I was thinking about this verse, not as an accusation toward others but as an evaluation of my life, decisions, and the results I see around me.
It's easy to look at the challenging situations in my life and take no responsibility: Seeing myself as a victim of circumstances, the product of my environment, or something akin to those thoughts and perspectives.
Truth be told, a sagging rafter is a victim of circumstances and overbearing weight. A leaking roof is a victim of the environment—quite literally.
But that's not King Solomon's point, is it? His point wasn't to argue against the existence of hardships or dismiss the trend that environments tend to produce environment-specific results.
Solomon's point was this: The only way to keep the roof up and the leaks out is by owning the problem and working toward the solution, not as a victim, but as someone who refuses to let decay and ruin prevail on their watch.
It's lazy and negligent to allow things to slip into decay, ruin, and disorder. If that stings, yes, it burned me too.
Ownership isn't necessarily about taking the blame—you might not be at fault—but rather acknowledging that this situation will only improve as you push against the sagging rafters, leaky roof, or whatever else.
Ownership says, "I won't be idle. I will not let the evils or decay of my environment define me" — and then sets off toward the work.
Progress over perfection.
Engagement over passivity.
Ownership over apathy.