We all have seen these signs mostly from the past.

NO LOITERING

Basically it meant not to just hang around somewhere.

Definitions…
To linger aimlessly.
Remaining in a public place for a prolonged period of time with no apparent purpose.

We can do this in every area of life.

It is wrong in every area of life.

It is not taking a break.
Not a vacation.
It’s not catching ones breath.

Read the definition above.
Aimless….No apparent purpose.

Consider for a moment your most important horizontal relationship.

Your marriage.

You loitering ?

What work have you put into it since January 1st ?

Have you asked how your spouse is?
Have you invested any time together?
Having small children is not a viable excuse.

What about your second most important relationship here??

Your children.

You paying attention?

Do you know who they are seeing?
Do you read their texts?

Do you know what influences are exerting themselves on your children?

If you do not know then you may have no purpose regarding your child.

You can love them in the abstract…
but be ignoring them in the specific and difficult areas.

I know some parents who say…
” If I am paying for your phone and you are living in my house…. Then I will be able to check each text on your phone at any time”.

I do not think that to be overbearing….
It’s parenting in the modern world.

If you are not holding them accountable….
You might be “loitering” as a parent.

Some are loitering but couch it as not wanting to cramp their children’s style or personality.

Inject yourself with purpose into your child’s life.

What about your vertical relationship with God???

Loitering?

When have you read and considered
Scripture…allowed yourself to meditate and think on It.

When have you read a whole Chapter ?

I ask you and I implore myself to pursue God, His Word and His Presence every day.

Loitering can lead to being lackadaisical.

Lackadaisical life opens up our minds to what David dealt with when he stayed home from fighting, enjoyed his success,
was aimlessly out on his porch when he saw Bathsheba.
In the loitering mindset he was in…
he was struck by what his eyes saw,
his feet were not aimed at the battle.

Because he was not operating with a purpose….a temptation took hold of him and his laziness led him to watch, think, consider, and then his decisions walked him into adultery, deceit, manipulation, plotting,
and to an arranged death of a
loyal subject.

Loitering kills initiative.

Loitering creates rationalization.

Loitering slowly takes you away from a higher Intentionality.

Catch yourself before remaining dormant for very long.

There is a time for rest and recovery….
but extended and protracted periods of aimlessness breeds stagnation and death.

Catch yourself.

Get your eyes and mind fixed on the proper course.

No loitering.

Terry
February 2016