COMMITMENT THROUGH DILIGENCE
Proverbs 13:4, "[T]he desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."
As you are challenging yourself to commit to better relationships with God, people and committing to your purpose, diligence is crucial in that quest. In most instances, a good idea just stays a good idea without diligence. When diligence is missing dreams remain dreams, but when we stick to the things we set out to do, and endure, there's no limit to what we can accomplish.
Another word for diligence is hard work and it's hard work that not only brings things to life, but keeps things going. The things we want to accomplish in our lives won't just happen, but instead, you have to work at making them happen. It takes a determination to not give up on the most important things in your life, and each day choose to work on it. The dictionary defines diligence as, "Careful and persistent work..." It's careful and persistent work that will pay off in the long run.
I like what the 10-time NCAA basketball coach John Wooden says, "Many athletes have tremendous God-given gifts, but they don't focus on the development of those gifts. Who are these individuals? You've never heard of them — and you never will. It's true in sports and it's true everywhere in life. Hard work is the difference. Very hard work."
TODAY'S CHALLENGE
Don't allow yourself to miss out on your dreams and healthy relationships because of a lack of diligence and hard work. When you don't see result right away, don't let that keep you from remaining diligent. Today, challenge yourself not let time or circumstances keep you from sticking it out in each area of your life, especially in those areas that you're believing to see God bring change to.
Also, think of areas in your life that you've stopped being diligent. Take time this week to begin to be more diligent. Work on your relationship with God and pray 5 minutes each day. Take time to work at fixing broken relationships by doing something nice for someone. Last, take time to pick up an old dream and work at making it a reality.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Lord, I pray today that you give me the strength to stick to things in life and to work at all areas in my life. Lord I know that you bless those who work hard and are diligent and so I am going to be that in my life. I won't accept my life the way it is, instead with your grace and mercy I'll work at making it better. I love You and thank You for this day. In Jesus name, amen.
