Podcast Summary: "Adjusting Your Idle Can Be Exhausting"
Episode: followHIM Favorites • April 28 - May 4 • Come Follow Me
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Title of Episode: Adjusting Your Idle Can Be Exhausting
Introduction
In this episode of the followHIM podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the concept of idleness, both literal and metaphorical, through a relatable family story. The discussion intertwines personal anecdotes with scriptural teachings from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Come, Follow Me curriculum, specifically focusing on sections 41 through 44, with an emphasis on section 42.
Personal Anecdote: The Tale of Two Vehicles (00:03 - 03:03)
Hank Smith opens the conversation by introducing a personal story that illustrates the dangers and implications of idleness. Shortly after marrying, Hank and his wife upgraded their family vehicle to a Toyota 4Runner, affectionately naming it "Elias." Their goal was not only practicality but also to infuse a scriptural reference into their daily lives.
John Bytheway chuckles, remarking, "Very scriptural vehicle" (00:39).
However, their enthusiasm soon meets a challenge. While attempting to tackle the steep gradient of Parley's Canyon, they encounter a significant obstruction: their 4Runner struggles to maintain speed on cruise control, metaphorically "idling" under pressure.
Hank recollects, "[...] this car's gutless, you know, it doesn't have enough power" (00:39). This mechanical idleness becomes a turning point for a deeper discussion.
With the need for a more reliable vehicle due to their growing family, Hank and his family decide to switch to a Honda Odyssey minivan in 2002. Unlike the 4Runner, the Odyssey successfully conquers Parley's Canyon without faltering, operating smoothly on cruise control.
The pivotal moment occurs when the family stops at a stoplight, and both Hank and John perceive a profound scriptural connection to the car's behavior. Hank articulates, "We came up with our own definition for being idle. Tremendous potential. Doing nothing. It was this engine just sitting there doing nothing" (01:50).
John reinforces the concept by stating, "Thou shalt not be idle. You can see the Lord saying, you're amazing. You're the Honda Odyssey. What are you doing sitting there?" (02:29).
Scriptural Insights: "Thou Shalt Not Be Idle" (00:14 - 02:36)
The hosts draw a parallel between the car's idling state and human behavior, emphasizing the scriptural mandate, "Thou shalt not be idle."
Hank reflects, "That idea of being idle, what does that mean exactly?" (00:14), leading to a thoughtful interpretation:
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Idleness as Untapped Potential: Just as an engine running without delivering power represents wasted capability, being idle in one's life signifies not utilizing one's God-given talents and opportunities.
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Commandment’s Relevance: The phrase "Thou shalt not be idle" resonates as a commandment, urging individuals to remain active and purposeful in their endeavors.
John extends this thought by personifying the Honda Odyssey as a symbol of divine potential awaiting activation: "You have this tremendous power and potential, and you're sitting there doing nothing." (02:36).
Practical Applications: Avoiding the Idle Mind (02:47 - 03:03)
Expanding on the theme of idleness, John introduces the age-old adage, "the idle mind is the devil's playground." This notion underscores the susceptibility to negative influences when one's time and energy are not productively engaged.
Hank concurs, highlighting the vulnerability that comes with having "nothing to do": "People get in trouble when they have nothing to do." (02:47).
John offers a practical defense against temptation: "Just be too tired to sin. When Satan says, hey, come over here and sin," (02:51), suggesting that a busy and purposeful life leaves little room for negative behaviors.
Hank echoes this sentiment, "You're like, I would, but I'm too worn out. I've been busy all day." (02:58), reinforcing the idea that exhaustion from meaningful activity serves as a natural deterrent against indebting oneself to sin.
Conclusion and Invitation (03:03)
As the discussion wraps up, John invites listeners to explore the full podcast episode titled Follow Him, available on all major podcast platforms. He highlights the episode's collaboration with Dr. Ken Alford, praising his contributions: "He is so good and so smart and so loving. You're going to love it." (03:03).
Hank and John encourage listeners to return for future episodes of followHIM Favorites, promising continued insightful discussions aligned with the Come, Follow Me lessons.
Key Takeaways
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Idleness Defined and Avoided: Drawing from both personal experience and scripture, the hosts illustrate the importance of avoiding idleness to harness one's full potential and prevent susceptibility to negative influences.
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Practical Wisdom: Maintaining an active and purposeful life serves as a safeguard against distractions and temptations that can lead one astray.
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Symbolism in Everyday Life: Everyday experiences, such as the performance of a vehicle, can offer profound insights into spiritual and personal growth.
Notable Quotes
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Hank Smith (00:39): "There’s a phrase in here. Thou shalt not be idle. He that is idle shall not eat the bread, nor wear the garments of the laborer."
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John Bytheway (02:29): "Thou shalt not be idle. You can see the Lord saying, you're amazing. You're the Honda Odyssey. What are you doing sitting there?"
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Hank Smith (02:47): "People get in trouble when they have nothing to do."
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John Bytheway (02:51): "Just be too tired to sin. When Satan says, hey, come over here and sin."
Connect with followHIM
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Please note that the followHIM Podcast is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions expressed on episodes represent the views of the guest and podcasters alone.
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