Trusting the Returns of Diligence

You and I are no strangers to the fact that diligence is an essential ingredient to, though not a guarantee of, success. Do we have a desire to write the great American novel? We must first write consistently until the draft is done and then persevere through the long road to publication. Do we want to prepare for a marathon? We must stick to a running plan for months in advance. Showing up on race day without consistent preparation will cause us to fail before we begin.

If you’re like me, you may often find yourself bogged down in the day-to-day tasks that require diligence and lose sight of the prize. Yes, we must exercise diligence to show up for work, stay on top of house chores, and get all our errands done. What requires even more diligence is investing daily in our marriage, being intentional with how we raise our children, practicing hospitality, and most of all, developing our relationship with God.

Our Christian walk also requires diligence. We can’t expect to grow in our faith without daily “practice.” We can’t hope to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” one day if we simply bury our talents in the sand and never exercise them (Matthew 25:21 NKJV).

Practically, what does diligence look like? It may mean setting the alarm early before our toddler wakes up to have some quiet time with God. It may mean looking for ways to love our spouse even when our own love tank feels a bit empty. It may mean going the extra mile at a dead-end job because it’s God’s provision for us right now, even though we want to be somewhere else.

You may be tempted to think, “But what if all this work is in vain!” Remember our definition for diligence? It is a prerequisite for, though not a guarantee of, success. Busy moms can’t hope to nurture their own faith if they don’t intentionally set aside precious time to read their Bibles. A husband and wife can’t hope to have the marriage of their dreams if they don’t put in the work right now to make it sweet. A worker can’t hope to see God’s blessing on his life if he’s not faithful where God has planted him today.

Hard truths? Yes. But that’s diligence: doing the hard work now and trusting the returns to God—whether later in this life or in eternity.

What does the Bible say about diligence?

Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 8:17: “I [wisdom] love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”

Proverbs 12:27: “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.”

Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

2 Peter 1:5: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”

2 Peter 1:10: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”

God,

You know I often grow weary. Showing up every day to a story that isn’t going the way I would have written it can make me discouraged and zap my enthusiasm. However, may I remember that like Esther, I am here for “such a time as this.” Help me be diligent not only in my work but also in my relationships—and especially in developing my relationship with You. May I be diligent in my calling today and may you find me faithful. Help me embrace your definition of success and not the world’s, because though other people may look on the outward appearance, You see my heart. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.