Destroyed by Idleness

A Roman aqueduct in Spain carried cool water from the mountain to the thirsty residents of Segovia for 1,800 years! It was considered to be such a marvel that the residents decided to make it a standing museum piece. They ran iron pipes to transfer the water, and allowed the aqueduct to rest from her centuries of labor.

An unexpected consequence of the structures retirement is that it began to crumble. Without water flowing along its length, the mortar began to crumble. Portions of the glorious aqueduct have fallen where they once stood proud, where they once provided fresh water to nearly sixty generations of thirsty residents. What ages of service could not destroy, idleness disintegrated!

A great passage to remind us of our diligence is in Romans 12:10-13. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Ours should be an attitude of loving service to the Lord and His saints.

If you have been slipping away from diligence toward idleness, take heart in the rest of the aqueduct story. When Spaniards saw the decay of the glorious aqueduct, they set about restoring it in order to return it to its former glory. Restore your diligence by renewing your faith, hope and love in the Lord.