When little Lucas first started school, he didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. And he did not understand why his parents and others treated it as though it were. Until that is, his parents woke him up the next morning too.
“You mean I have to do this again?” he asked, confused. Apparently he thought school was a one-time event or that he’d learned everything in one day. No wonder “starting school” didn’t seem like a big deal!
Yes, dear Lucas, you must return and do so for a long while. It’s a matter of duty or responsibility and we all have them, even little children. That means you have to keep doing it, even if you don’t want to. And it takes diligence.
The good of diligence
Dictionaries define diligence as constant and steady effort to accomplish a task.
Without it we would still think like Lucas, and never learn or accomplish much in life. So we should work diligently – and want to do it – because it’s the right thing to do and it’s good for us.
We may laugh at Lucas’ childlike simplicity. But we often share his lack of enthusiasm for responsibility. Like him, we ask: Do I have to clean my house again? Go to work again? Cook again?
It seems we’re not hardwired to love work and doing right for its own sake. We dislike having to do things, even when they are necessary. So how can we overcome our lazy, procrastinating ways? By remembering that diligence brings rewards!
The Scriptures contain some excellent lessons on diligence. And one of my favorites is Colossians 3:18-25.
It’s often referred to as the rules for Christian Households. Because it’s in the home that we first learn to love, to serve, and to respect authority. We learn to be wholehearted in everything we do.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
It’s not always easy. It often means going to school even when we don’t want to. Going to work even when we don’t like our jobs. Or serving our family members no matter how unpleasant they may at times.
But the beauty of diligence lies in the rewards we reap. That is why Peter, in his second letter, instructs us to grow in our faith by adding more and more godly qualities: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:8
Lucas stayed in school, learned to like it, and reaped the rewards of learning to read, write and do math. Similarly, when we work hard and diligently, we reap the rewards of a clean house or money to pay our bills.
But are things always so simple? Does diligent service guarantee us a positive work environment? Or does unselfish love guarantee a happy home and loving family? Not always, it also depends on the others involved. But we reap rewards in many other ways.
5 rewards of diligence:
- The satisfaction of a job well done.
- The peace of knowing that we’re doing the right thing.
- The joy of seeing our light shine brighter at school, at work, or wherever we are.
- The joy seeing our character become more Christ like.
- The knowledge that we’ve done the right thing.
But what really makes the difference is WHO we’re doing it for. The Lord sees and is faithful to keep all His promises. He will reward us in the best possible way, even if not in the way we expected.
And most of all, we’ll have the joy of knowing that we have pleased Him!
We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work but the love with which it is performed.
Brother Lawrence
📷 Image credits: school supplies; pencil; colored pencils.
Being diligent in our work as we do it to the Lord also brings us the joy of knowing we have brought joy to the Lord—our blessing to him if you will.
I like the way you put that. Our blessing to him. Beautiful, and so true, Donna!!
Thank you for this gentle reminder that everyday experiences also have spiritual meaning. May the peace, joy, delight, and knowledge of diligence wrap you in God’s love.
Thanks Karen! You too!!
Thank you for sharing these 5 rewards regarding practicing diligence. So wonderfully spoken.
Thanks Paula. But it amazes me that even when we know the benefits we still resist. How fickle we are!
Great Post and I loved the final quote by Brother Lawrence. Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in decades!
Thanks! Brother Lawrence. Yes. He seems nearly forgotten these days.
Wise words, Sheila. Appreciate especially your summary statement: “The beauty of diligence lies in the rewards we reap.” Love that Brother Lawrence quote too. A while back I wrote a post about William the Potter (https://nancyaruegg.com/2016/01/14/william-the-potter/) a parable about the secret for diligence. You might enjoy it!
Thanks for sharing that link, Nancy. I do remember reading that post and enjoyed rereading just now. It’s who we’re working for that makes all the difference, for sure!! But I especially like where you say, “These pots will be part of something glorious and enduring. And that changes everything!” Part of something glorious and enduring… that’s what counts!! Thank you!
I did not remember that you had been a follower of my blog for that long! You are a gracious friend to reread that post again. Thank you, Sheila! :-)
I didn’t realize it had been that long either! But I’ve always loved your writing and encouraging spirit!! God bless!
Really powerful, Sheila. Luke so genuinely portrays most of us (ME) with his attitude. Thanks for this.
Thanks Dayle! Yes, the lessons we can learn from children are often very powerful. They approach life so totally naturally. And yes, we do often have that attitude of Again? Really? Knowing that we are doing it all for the Lord is what really makes the difference, isn’t it?
I needed this message today. I am frustrated with a writing project. But, remembering that I am writing for God puts everything in perspective. Thank you. :-)
Oh Mimi, I’m so glad it helped. It is easy to get discouraged over our projects. I’m working on translating posts from this blog into Italian – and it is a lot of work – especially since it is not my native language. Sometimes I wonder, is it worth it? But then, like you, I remember WHO I’m doing it for… and the strength comes to continue. Thank you for sharing – it’s so good to know we are not alone in our struggles!!
Excellent word Sheila! Sometimes I have to dig down deep to keep going, but in the end it is worth it. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you Tom – and you’re so right. Sometimes it is hard to make ourselves keep going – but ever so worth it!! Glad this encouraged you!
Love this truth and the look of your blog!
Thanks so much Lisanne! I found our little friend’s innocence over school so amusing – until I realized how often I think and act in the same way… And I’m glad you like my blog’s new look. I’m pretty excited about it!!