diligence

Root System

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The root thrives depending on what type of soil it is growing in. In my former back acre, the soil was depleted, the only rain it received was from the Lord, and it produced only weeds. However, in my garden, the roots were in loose soil. The roots could freely spread to gather in all the nutrients. It was consistently watered by me.

All seeds are designed to produce fruit. Genesis 1:29 says, “And God said, See I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.”

That was great until man sinned. Genesis 3:17-18 says, “…Cursed is the ground for your sake…Both thorns and thistles it shall brig forth for you…”

Remember the young man who was negligent in caring for his vineyard? Proverbs 24:31 says, “There it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles…”

Lesson From The Ant

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This morning I had another invasion.  The lesson I am learning from my ant invasions is about their diligence.  This time they came in through a crack in the top of the broom closet where it meets the ceiling.

Proverbs 6:6 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard!  Consider her ways and be wise.”  The opposite of sluggard is the character of diligence.  Diligence means careful and persistent work or effort.

One diligent ant scout took the message to the ant house.  “Good news!  I found food in abundance.  It will take you a long time to get there, but it will be worth it.  Follow me!”  The ants came all the way from the outside, from the ceiling in the laundry room, down the wall, across the threshold, all along the hallway molding, to their garbage can destination in my kitchen.  They came in droves because of one seeker who found what it was looking for.

Are we as diligent in spreading the Gospel?  John the Baptist prepared the way for others.  John 1:40-41 says, “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ).”

Another great example is the woman at the well.  She went and told the men of her city about Jesus.  John 4:29 says, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did.  Could this be the Christ?”  They left the city to see what she was talking about.

Let’s heed the lesson of the ant: be diligent to spread the good news.

That Opportune Time

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I woke up thinking about Galatians 6:9 which says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by satan during His most vulnerable time.  In Luke 4:13 it says, “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”

Weariness can be that opportune time.  Emotional fatigue dulls our spiritual senses, and we can easily fall prey to fleshly reactions.  Ephesians 4:27 says, “Nor give place to the devil.”  We are not to give any opportunity, or ground over to satan in our lives.  That means we have to be on our guard.  Weariness comes from our flesh and loss of focus on Him.

Proverbs 4:23 is a command.  It says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”  That diligence is defined through Colossians 3:23.  It says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”  The Amplified says to work at it from the soul.  Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions.  We are do things wholeheartedly as unto the Lord.  This will help us keep our focus and not withdraw emotionally.

Constantly renewing our minds, strengthening our faith, and being thankful are powerful weapons to fight off emotional fatigue.  They refresh and strengthen our spirit, and consequently weaken our flesh.