Becoming Diligent in the Pursuit of God

“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30-34).

When I read these verses, I have this picture of an overgrown field in my mind–of vines withering away in the mess of dried out weeds and thistles. As deflating as it is to see a once vibrant vineyard go to waste, consider the spiritual aspect of this passage.

Just as people can see weeds in a field that has not been cared for, so they can see the spiritual clutter in our lives. It is ultimately evident.

Yet, the passage still gives me hope that underneath it all, there could be some good fruit grown on those vines again if the owner of the vineyard would first wake up, go out, and diligently tend to his fields. How much more should we tend to the spiritual nature of our souls?

The Bible says people will know us by our fruit. Consider this: We can sense when something just isn’t adding up in our lives. We know it in our hearts. Where is the fruit? Where is the growth within us and the exhortation of others? Maybe, like this man, we have fallen asleep with complacency and have allowed our lives to be consumed by worldly things. Maybe our religion has become mundane because we are not actively seeking the will and heart of God. Maybe we are saying one thing and doing another. Or rather, NOT doing at all.

More questions to ask ourselves when we sense spiritual complacency:

• When have I sought the Lord last? (I mean, really sought the Lord.)
• Where is the fervency in my prayers?
• Where is my compassion for the lost and hurting in my community?
• Why don’t I have a sense of direction?

Not knowing or walking in our purpose is the direct result of a lack of diligence to seek God.

Yet, if we will only fix our eyes on Jesus and begin to truly pursue Him above all other things, everything will come together for our good. God’s voice will be heard. Fruit will be manifested. The fields God planted in our hearts will not go to waste.

The man in the passage did not set out to become lazy. I would assert that no one truly does. Complacency and apathy creep in one inaction at a time – one “I’ll do it later” or “Someone else will do it.”

Procrastination toward godliness is a delay in obedience, which is in fact, disobedience.

No, we cannot become diligent or godly in our own power. But without movement, our faith is dead. The good news is, we can become diligent in godliness through one action at a time:

• Perhaps we should get up now and do something about the distractions that are keeping us from hearing the voice of God clearly. Like weeds, cut one out and then another.
• Replace the worldly noise with seeds of time spent with the Lord.
• Allow God to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and worship in us.
• Ask Him for a renewed passion for His Word and for the things of God.
• Plead with Him to give us a heart of compassion toward others.
• He may even call us to a fast.

Whatever it takes, let us be diligent to do it.

The Bible says that the fervent prayer of the righteous is effective and powerful. Fervent means: with earnest, diligent. Paul told the Romans not to lag in diligence, but to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).

This is what God is looking for.

It is time to take responsibility for our complacency, and for our fruitlessness because of it. It is time to come back to effective prayer and pursuit of God. THEN, we will produce the fruit that is lacking in our hearts. THEN, we will know His direction for our lives.

Pray this with me:

Lord, forgive me for my lack of diligence! I have allowed complacency to lull me into a spiritual slumber. I have let fleshly desires and distractions deplete the fruit that once abounded in my life. I desire YOU again and to know the will of my Father. Please help me rise up in fervency and do what you are calling me to do. Help me to rid my life of the things that are holding me back from living the abundant life you want for me. Amen

Anna De Lay

I am a wife, homeschool mom, musician, and songwriter; but most importantly, I am a daughter of the King. My heart’s desire is to draw closer to God and bring other people with me! Truly, there is no greater joy.