Becoming Diligent in Pursuit of God
On September 21, 2019 by Anna De Lay
“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. For we know that all the clutter of weeds and thistles must be done away with for fruit to be made manifest. Anyone who has ever physically planted and tended a garden knows this. 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: You can sense when something just isn’t adding up in your life. You know it in your heart. Where is the fruit? Where is the growth within yourself and the exhortation of others? Maybe, like this man, you have fallen asleep with complacency and have allowed your life to be consumed by worldly things. Maybe your religion has become mundane because you are not actively seeking the will and heart of God. Maybe you are saying one thing and doing another. Or rather, NOT doing at all.
Ask yourself, 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? Where weeds of distraction are prevalent, God’s voice is lessened, and complacency abounds. Where is the diligence I need? 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. But the good news is, we can become diligent in godliness through one action at a time. Get up now and do something about the distractions that are keeping you from hearing the voice of God clearly. Like weeds, cut one out and then another; and replace them with seeds of time spent with the Lord. Allow God to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and worship in you. Ask Him for a renewed passion for His Word and for the things of God. Plead with Him to give you a heart of compassion toward others. Perhaps He would call you to fast; but whatever it takes, just 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. We can not blame the apathetic world around us for our lack of passion and fervency. It is time to take responsibility for our laziness, 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
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.
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