"Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest."
~ Proverbs 6:6-8
I love the three verses above. Somehow it speaks to me of the character of God on several levels, in several ways, and it always makes me smile.
As we come to the end of the year, it's good to take a look back and ask ourselves, what has worked/is working? What might we want to see change and what actions to we want to take to see those changes come to life? What habits might we want to create?
... thus the dreaded New Year's resolution.
But, if I'm honest, I've been feeling behind in several areas of life. I've been feeling like I need to get my ducks in a row, or at least better so, on multiple fronts.
Then I was reading the parable of the talents and was pretty convicted.
We all know our Heavenly Father wants our eternal ducks in a row. But, does He care about our earthly ducks?
I would assert that the answer is absolutely, positively, 100% yes.
We are to be diligent in our earthly lives, in our earthly relationships, in our earthly commitments.
We are to be diligent in our work... in whatever our hands find to do, yes?
I do this exercise more than once a year, but the end of the year is certainly the most booming in asking, what can I do better?
It's a valuable question to ask.
Where can I apply greater diligence, that I might one day come before the Father and hear the words, well done?
Won't you join me in the inquiry?
Abba Father,
Thank YOU, for being such a powerfully bold presence in our lives.
Thank You for guiding us in the ways of diligence.
May each of Your children be blessed with the gifts that come with working at whatever is given as unto You.
All these things we pray in Your most Holy Names.
Amen.
"Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men," ~ Colossians 3:23
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." ~ 2 Peter 1:5-7
"Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might..." ~ Ecclesiastes 9:10a
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
This is incredible. I want you to have all of the lyrics, so I have posted them below. I'm pretty sure there are a few errors, but you'll understand why. :)
Shachah ~ Diligence
Diligence is left standing
On a road marked with Hope
When you feel you're lost, you can't stand it
Remember you're not alone
There is ONE
Waiting for you,
For the release
Waiting to make a change...
It started for me at a young age
When mama started singing
I'm out in the congregation
Watching patient
It was an honor just to see
The Lord's Creation
I was bathed in it
From the moment
I entered the world,
See,
I was raised in it
And blessed with a
Family that was real
I never strayed from it
I stayed running I kept my focus and my hand to the plow
No falter when I was caught up
In another temptation.
Facing what I never thought I could
Some men trust in chariots or horses
I'm trusting in the Lord my God
Pressing on with him, my fortress.
What is diligence?
Well, it's never looking back
Marching on because
We were called to the 'Front Line ONE time'
Take 'em to the chorus
Diligence is left standing
On a road marked with Hope
When you feel you're lost, you can't stand it
Remember you're not alone
There is ONE
Waiting for you,
For the release
Waiting to make a change...
I'm hollering out in night watches,
I'm counting the cost and tossing the losses
All for the cause of faith,
I pray for something to break
'Cause taking this pace is feeling
Like razor blades,
I gaze up into the Heavenlies,
Jesus is telling me gotta keep all eyes on Him, and
Pick up my chin 'cause all my sin
Has already been dealt with now,
Now I make a decision to make a division
Lay my burdens down,
Surrendering thoughts and
Scraping out dross
I'm ready to shout out loud now,
Weep, but I keep seeking,
You know I'm weak but I keep believing,
Reading defeat is gonna take bleeding,
Cling to Your feet, gotta keep gleaning,
Needing Your peace please!
Knew me from beginning of time,
My transgressions and offenses,
All memories declined.
My Adonai, my oh my, my Messiah will fire the liar,
Tearing down his defiant empire,
Stand with Lion of Zion
Diligence is left standing
On a road marked with Hope
When you feel you're lost, you can't stand it
Remember you're not alone
There is ONE
Waiting for you,
For the release
Waiting to make a change...
The diligent man will find a life entwined with Christ
And press on beyond the starless nights,
Foreseeing what he believes the morning brings with it
The morning light, with it the warmth of day,
Cold of the night shall fade away and
Diligence is standing on a road of HOPE,
So come what may I wish I could further explain it,
But for you to see it,
then you must abandon the thought that our life has no meaning.
I am ready to meet Him and
That's the Hope I'm Standing ON,
And I'll be pressing on running to win
And not just to finish
So I must lay aside the weight of sin and
Run with a patience.
I am not alone in this Lord
You lead me on and
I know when times try me,
You're right beside me and watching me close.
Praise You Father.
I will stand till the end, may you see me as a diligent man.
Diligence is left standing
On a road marked with Hope
When you feel you're lost, you can't stand it
Remember you're not alone
There is ONE
Waiting for you,
For the release
Waiting to make a change.
Diligence is left standing
On a road marked with Hope
When you feel you're lost, you can't stand it
Remember you're not alone
There is ONE
Waiting for you,
Do you believe
Believe He can make a change?
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