Hosanna Restoration Church

God has given everyone ears to hear, however we do not always listen. Even those who cannot physically hear are able to gain understanding. Jesus wants us to have understanding of what is most important. It takes diligence on our part to accomplish anything in our lives and it is worth the effort to hear what the Lord says.

Whether we call it diligence, determination, or by some other name, the definition can be boiled down to, “what ever it takes.” Diligence is fueled by desire. Those things that we really desire we will most diligently work at. People who are diligent will excel and those who don’t really care that much will slide by. We all have areas where we have not even come close to our full potential. Sometimes it is because other things were more necessary. Other times it is because we gave up. And sometimes it is simply because we did not care enough to be diligent.

Needless to say, this lack of diligence greatly affects people’s lives as well as the lives of those around them. In the same way, misguided diligence robs people of the best that God has intended for them. However, if we will use our ears to hear what God has to say He will in fact direct our paths. The Word of God guarantees quality in this life and even more importantly for eternity. Sadly, it is very difficult for people to grasp this truth. And so we can surely say that it is a blessing to understand the goodness of God.

Jesus made this statement right after He told the parable of the sower. Try to picture these seeds being poured out all over the world. The Spirit of God is everywhere and the seeds are flowing like sound waves through the atmosphere. The diligent will do there best to see that no seed is wasted. For instance, even those who greatly desire God may have some seed that just goes by the wayside. Diligence will stir them to sweep it up before it can be completely stolen.

Other seed may get started and not take a lot of root, but the diligent will have a note somewhere, get a tape, or read a teaching that will transplant that in better soil. When the cares of this world begin to cause the seeds to fade and the plants begin to die, the diligent will go after those weeds with a vengeance in order to get back to what they love.

No one is perfect soil all the time, but by diligence the ground can be prepared. There will be less wayside as we can become like a funnel that moves all the seed to the best place. Rocky areas will be cleared, thorns and weeds will find it hard to grow, and we will produce fruit that lasts.

Desire for God leads to diligence in hearing Him. Hearing God produces success in every area of life. Diligence in other things may create some success in certain things, but only God can make all areas of our lives successful. When we understand this, we should become people who will do “what ever it takes” to hear what the Lord is saying.