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When my family and I were on our most recent vacation, we had the opportunity to eat at a restaurant named after that famous Jimmy Buffet song, “Margaritaville”. The place had great food and beachy relaxing atmosphere. As I was enjoying my cheeseburger in paradise, (actually I didn’t get a cheeseburger, but it goes with the theme here) I realized I’ve never actually listen to any of Jimmy Buffet’s material. So on our drive home back to PA I pulled up a Jimmy Buffet playlist on my Apple Music and began to indulge.

 Long story short, I really enjoy his music! I would go so far as to say I’m a fan. Overtop of the relaxed blends of beach and country style music are lyrics that (at least on the surface) paint a laid back, take things as they come, picture. It’s catchy and I like it! However, I do so with a certain amount of caution that one would find advised in the book of Proverbs. More on Proverbs in a moment, for now lets focus on the message of these songs because as I listened I found myself thinking this could be a whole lifestyle! Now, you may accuse me of over analyzing something as simple as a catchy song, but put all the hits together in a playlist and you begin to see a worldview pattern emerge.

 I’ve said before, worldview is extremely important and given enough context it always shows itself. One song all alone may be harmless, but as toe (or finger, I don’t discriminate) tapping as Margaritaville is the message is one of a life that hides from problems, oozes through each day with no purpose or direction, and uses alcohol to drown and soothe the conscience. The world would identify this as Hedonism. The Bible, in the book of Proverbs (told you we would get back here) uses the term “sluggard”.

Now just a note on Proverbs. These are not promises, as some might think, they are simply good-actions. When we break the word down ProVerbs, we get pro=good and verbs=actions; Good actions. In other words, what the writer of proverbs is trying to communicate to the reader is if you put this action into practice, the most likely outcome will be good.

So, what do proverbs say about this Margaritaville lifestyle? The term it uses is “sluggard”. A person who prefers inaction to anything else. Proverbs 6 tells the sluggards to look to the ant, how it works and stores up for itself and is ready for lean times.

Chapter 20 says the sluggard does not plough in season, so when its time to collect food, they look but have none.

 A few verses in Chapter 26 talk about the sluggard being so lazy they reach into a bowl of food but can’t bring their hand back up to the mouth, they just lie in bed all day!

Now don’t hear me wrong, rest is a good thing. God calls us as His people to take a day to rest and reflect on His goodness, but we must rest from work…not more resting.

To go to the opposite end of this spectrum, the Bible talks about how hard work and suffering (not in the sense of pain) are good because they yield good results. Since I am running out of space here are the verses for you to look up for yourself: Proverbs 27:12, 17, 18, and 21.

Let me get to the point, as great as the song is this Margaritaville lifestyle is not the purpose for which God gave us life. God gives us the ability to enjoy and take pleasure in life and put us in a world filled with wonders, but the pursuit that enjoyment and pleasure should not have the ultimate place in our live…God should!

One more proverb to end, Proverbs 27:19, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart,”. What is your life reflecting? Because whatever it is, that is what is most important to you!