Diligence

In today's society it is difficult to find the diligent man or woman. Our goal seems to be to do as little as possible to get the greatest reward. And if we don't get the "reward" we want, we always have an excuse--or a reason to blame someone else. Somehow we've gotten the idiotic notion that if we can't see the relevance of something, it doesn't deserve our effort. As if the development of a strong work ethic is somehow inconsequential--immaterial. And yet, there is nothing more necessary in life than a sense of diligence.
Half-heartedness, indolence, is the trait of fools. Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived, but a half-heartedness in the things of God destroyed his relationship with God, his contentment and peace, and eventually, his kingdom. It is a simple yet powerful commandment God gives us "to do all to the glory of God." In other words, to do all that we do in such a way that people know we are doing it to please Jesus and not men. Do you think that Paul could have found better things to do with his time than to make tents? And yet, his diligence in supporting himself proved to all that he brought a message of grace not personal profit or personal recognition. Do you think that Moses could have found something better to do than to lead and direct that complaining mob from place to place in the wilderness? And yet, his diligence rubbed off on a Moses-in-training by the name of Joshua who led the most faithful generation in the history of Israel. Do you think that Joseph could have found an excuse to not be a diligent slave and then a diligent prisoner? His diligence led him to a position where he saved his people--and who knows how many other people from starvation. Do you think Daniel and his friends could have found a reason to be half-hearted about eating the right foods? Their testimony touched the heart of one of the most powerful men who ever lived.
And you know what else? These men who were diligent in "earthly" things found themselves endowed with tremendous spiritual power and influence. And don't for a moment think the two are not related. Diligence in the things of God has called me to do on an earthly plain causes God to trust me to be diligent with the spiritual power He wishes to entrust to me. Until you can do the mundane, the "irrelevant," the stuff you don't really want to do with a diligence that reflects God's glory, don't expect to be used by God in places of ministry. Everything you do is sacred to God. Act that way. Be diligent. Do whatever it is with all your strength and energy.