I was thinking today… about diligence. The meaning of “diligent” is constant and earnest effort and application; attentive and persistent in doing something. When I read the news and think about the chaos and troubles of our world today it is overwhelming and heart breaking on so many levels.

How do we handle this as Christians? Do we lose our faith? Do we forget God in all of the chaos? I hope not! Now more than ever we need to be diligent about our relationship with God. We need to read scripture constantly, pray earnestly and be the light to everyone around us in our daily lives. People in the bible fasted and prayed intensely in times of hardship.

We must put in the effort to seek God on a deeper level. This is not the time to lose our focus – this is the time to strengthen our resolve in our faith. I believe you have two choices as a Christian when times are tough: you can either turn away from or turn even more strongly to God.

May we all choose to be diligent in our relationship with God, so that He is our strength and our comforter, no matter what happens in this world.

(Proverbs 13:4) A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

(James 1:12) Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

(2 Peter 1:5-8) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, 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.

To God be the Glory,

Lynn Manucci Warrick