Diligence

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

We have one chance to leave a mark in this life. This verse challenged and changed me when I was 18. I inherited my hard work ethic from my father, but this verse became the under girding force for diligence in my spiritual life. Nothing can take the place of diligence. The effort we put in to anything determines the results we gain, naturally and spiritually.

Fruit for the kingdom of God in our lives is determined by what degree we act on the Word; some thirty, some sixty, and some act one hundred percent of the time on the Word (See Mark 4). Why stand for mediocrity when we can go for the BEST? We are to press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

It’s not the smartest people who succeed in life. It’s those who choose their God given path and apply themselves every day. Don’t cry over failure and over the break in life you never got. Take what life brings, find God’s plan, then give yourself to it every day. Don’t look back. Keep looking forward. If you stumble, get up and start again.

The tortoise won the race, not because he was strongest and fastest, but because he was more persistent than the hare. You’ll succeed, not because of your mental acumen, but because of the sweat you apply to the leading of God. It’s daily diligence that triumphs over genius.

The following scriptures have been my friends for years. I urge you to make them yours too.

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Pr. 10:4). Work hard and become a leader. Be Lazy and never succeed (Living – Pr. 12:24). The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (Pr. 13:4). He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves oil and wine will not be rich (Pr. 21:17). The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor (Pr. 21:25). Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [unknown] men (Proverbs 22:29). Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).

Give every day your absolute best.