effort | considering the word

Pr. 21:25-26: “The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.”

The first example that comes to my mind pertains to losing weight. How many times have we heard people wish out loud (or perhaps done it ourselves) that they would eat better and lose weight.

“Oh, it’s frustrating being overweight.” “I need to start eating better.” “I wish I could wear clothes like that, run a 5k, or have that much energy.” The list goes on and on.

Stating the desire out loud can cause deep sorrow or depression when the one speaking it knows they will do nothing to achieve that goal. It may seem like dreaming the impossible dream.

The reality; however, is that by making the decision to put forth the labor, the weight could in fact come off. Deciding that the desire is worth the effort, one could finally begin to say no to unhealthy foods and yes to healthy choices.

There are lots of examples of this: saving money, getting out of debt, reading the Bible more, taking time for ourselves each day, spending more time with family, learning that hobby we’ve been dreaming about, beginning a foundation, joining a ministry…the list could go on and on.

What is it that you’ve been desiring, but feeling as if it were an impossible dream?

Ask The Lord to help you. Nothing is impossible for God, and with Him all things are possible. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

As Christians, we must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear. There is nothing we can’t do with God on our side. God gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind.

A sound mind. When we decide our desire is worth the labor, and we ask The Lord to help us, we can grasp that desire with hands full of power. We do not have live under the heaviness of unfulfilled desires. We can reach out, through God, and see our desires come to life.

Today is the day when we can begin the labor that will see our desire fulfilled! Ask God to help, and let’s get to work.

Laboring,

jamie

Pr. 31:25: “Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.”

Do you know what this verse doesn’t say? It does not say that she shall rejoice every moment of every day. It says she shall rejoice in time to come.

As I read this verse this morning, I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 11:6, which says, “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”

This reminds me that diligence, persistence, effort, and perseverance are important qualities of our nature. We must continue to press forward. Some activities in our lives seem mundane and routine at times. Some responsibilities feel overwhelming or paralyzing.

It is the completion of the tasks before us or the persistent effort to do so that brings us honor. It is the husband who continues to get up and go to work daily, when he would rather do anything else, who receives honor for his perseverance. It is the student who trudges through their schoolwork, with consistent effort, who receives honor for not giving up or giving in to lesser things. It is the mother who sweeps the floor for a 3rd time in one day who is doing what is honorable, through her diligence.

There is a lot to be said for not giving up. If we do not sow any seed, no prosperity will come forth. However, if we continue to daily sow seeds, something will eventually take root. We may not see the results right away. We may wonder if anything will ever come from them. We may even notice that, other than our own personal satisfaction, not much comes from some of them.

The point is; however, that in order to see the growth of the fruit, we must sow the seeds. Strength comes when we persevere. Honor comes from the same.

As we say good-bye to 2014, let’s remember all the ways in which we have been consistently diligent and persistent and rejoice that we have increased in strength.

As we welcome 2015, let’s remember that honor comes from not giving up, and continue to sow our seeds. Let’s continue to release those things in our hands and watch what comes forth from them. It will be worth the effort.

God, we thank you for another day…another year to serve You. Help us this day to rejoice in You and in the blessings that have come from You. As we face the possibility of another year, give us the daily strength to persevere in Your will and in Your service. If tomorrow does not come, help us to give ourselves over to You once again, receiving Your salvation and forgiveness, and living a life that honors You. Our diligence in serving You will not go unrewarded, and for that we give You praise!

Happy New Year!

jamie