We’ve been talking about being a diligent person.  If you missed it, check out the previous post about the difference between a diligent doer and a happy hoper.  It’s important to operate in faith and not fantasy in life.

Many christians thing that they are “waiting on the Lord” or “in faith”  when in fact they are simply inactive and lethargic in life.  

You say, “That’s harsh!” 

The truth is that if we aren’t careful each one of us can slip into this fantasy world thinking we are in faith. 

God wants us Successful

Ok so let’s get this out of the way.  God wants you to succeed.  Why else would he say this?

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

Proverbs 21:5 NKJV

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

God wants us to succeed and have plenty in our life, but we have to be diligent in what we do. 

Attributes of a Diligent Person

Ok so what are a few attributes of a diligent person?  

1. Goal Oriented
   1. Jesus for the joy set before him… (Hebrews 12:2)
   2. We are called to run our own race the same way… (Hebrews 12:1)
2. Focused
   1. Luke 4:18 – I [Jesus] know why I’m here.
   2. Mark 1:38 – He knew His reason and assignment
3. Time Aware
   1. John 2:4 – Jesus knew that there are times and seasons to do things in.

Goal Oriented

People who are goal oriented are successful at accomplishing their visions – obviously.  You might have heard it said that it doesn’t matter how many good ideas you have, it matters how you execute the idea. 

It’s great that you have a desire to do something, but that isn’t the same as actually doing it.  Talk is cheap.

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Jesus was GOAL ORIENTED.  Who else in all of history literally went through hell? Jesus did!  

That’s the point.  Jesus was ALL MAN.   He set the pattern for how we are to live our lives and it starts by having a crystal clear vision of your goals. 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:1 KJV

Paul is saying here, it’s our turn to do the exact same thing.

Focused

This goes right along with goal oriented.  

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

Mark 1:38 KJV

This is right after Jesus healed a great many people in one town.  See, the natural desire of the disciples was to say, “Jesus you’re needed here let’s stay for a while.”  

Jesus knew His calling was to go throughout all of Judea and preach.  He was focused.  It might have looked like a good idea at the time, but He knew that if He stayed He couldn’t accomplish his goals.

Time Aware

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

John 2:4 KJV

Jesus said this right after Mary asked Him to do something about the wine at the wedding.  What is Jesus saying here?  He’s saying it’s not time for me to start doing miracles yet.  

Jesus was aware of the time he was in.  Sometimes we want things to happen on our timelines.  WE want to set the terms, but we are supposed to do as Jesus did.  Jesus didn’t set his own schedule.  He operated on God’s timing.

It’s about taking the next step.  Many people – myself included at times – get caught up in the 2nd or 3rd step in the process. They forget that they have to get past step 1 before they move to step 2.  

God requires us to operate in faith.  That means that we just need to take the very next step that we know to do.  THAT’S IT!! 

What can I do?

So you might be asking yourself, “This is all great, but what can I do right now?”

Start with these basic steps.  They will change your life.

1. Write down 1 thing you want to see happen in the next 6 months to a year from now. 
   1. It has to be big enough that you can’t readily accomplish it.
2. Write down one scripture that tells you that you have the right to that goal. 
   1. For example if you’re looking to get a raise at your job use 1 Timothy 5:18 where it says a workman is worthy of his hire. 
3. Set aside a time to pray over the goal.
   1. Start by quoting the scripture
   2. Pray in tongues over the goal
   3. Quote the scripture again
   4. And so on…

What will this do? Pretty soon you will plant a seed inside your heart with the scripture you’ve been praying out.  After some time, you’ll receive a harvest good measure, pressed down and shaken together. 

Set you feet to do SOMETHING whatever the first thing is towards accomplishing your goal.  As you continue to do steps 1-3 you will start to see a shift in your thought process.  Things will start to line up.  You’ll see favor like never before.