Mom Heart Moments #202

Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

QUITTING JOBS, QUITTING SCHOOL, quitting on marriage, quitting on friendship, quitting on God —it seems all kinds of quitting have become acceptable and excusable these days.

Yet God gave us the capacity to “muscle up” in life, that we might be conquerors, defeat the darkness, and complete our work. How many times I have been sorely tempted to give up on some of my ideals! My children tested my patience and faith. Homeschooling challenged me to the core. Repetitive financial issues tempted me to believe God did not hear my prayers. People’s negative voices caused me to second-guess my vision, tempting me to think ideals did not matter.

Yet, God’s Word kept telling me to persevere, to be diligent, to overcome, to keep going. And by His grace, I am so very thankful He increased my capacity to work hard and remain faithful though it was difficult so many times.

Daily life is where diligence is trained and learned. As our children watch our faithfulness and experience our love, they develop a heart to be diligent. Giving them work to complete develops moral strength. Helping children to persevere in difficult relationships teaches them to be faithful in adult relationships.

Learning diligence is essential for fruitfulness. The world is in rebellion against God and His design, so our work is challenging, and our relationships are fraught with pain. But His spirit of redemption comes alive when we are diligent to complete the tasks we have been given. Diligence is the energy, the inner will of determination to keep going, that provides the power to overcome in life.

A key to diligence is found in the second half of the verse above —knowing that our labor is not in vain. Ask the Lord to renew this knowing in your life, as you seek to grow in diligence.