As you step out today, here’s a reminder of God’s word to you from Proverbs 22:29 [MSG].
“Observe people who are good at their work — skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.”
The [AMP] Translation says,
“Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work? He will stand [in honor] before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.”
The [NET] Translation says,
“Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people.”
I heard a wise saying which says “Learn to work harder on yourself i.e. your skills, talents, creativity because when you work on yourself you attract a fortune.” This statement is so apt as it sums up what the writer of Proverbs is saying in today’s key verse.
Today’s Bible verse no doubt places emphasis on values such as diligence, consistency, commitment, perseverance, discipline, personal development, but more importantly encourages us as believers to stay DILIGENT because it will all pay off one day. To stay diligent will require us as believers to preserve, to be hardworking, to be assiduous and to stay dedicated to the work and business that we do, whether we are being seen or observed by others or not (God sees us and will reward us in due season.)
Our commitment and perseverance to our work/gifts/skills/talents if choose not to get tired or give up, will one day give us the desired results we hope for. And as the Bible says, it will also bring us before people of high relevance and people who will appreciate our talents, gifts, skills and creativity.
The dictionary defines: Diligent as having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties. It also means a constant in effort to accomplish something; to be attentive and persistent in doing anything: pursued with persevering attention.
I was reminded of the importance of today key verse and what it means to ‘Stay Diligent’ at one’s work or business when I listened to an interview on YouTube of a dynamic young woman who became a social media sensation just by doing what she loved to do ‘Dancing’, not just any kind of dance but it was her charisma and the fun way she danced that few people to her page. This eventually gave her an audience before celebrities and high profile people she could only have dreamt of meeting.
As I sat and listened to her share the story of her childhood dreams, the challenges and hurdles she had to go through which tried to deter and prevent her from achieving her dreams. I saw before me a resilient and determined young woman who refused to give up on her dreams, instead she horned her skills and chose to stay diligent in pursuing her dreams.
Until that ‘one day’ when she posted this particular dance video and within hours she began trending on various Social Media platforms. Today, she has over 230k followers and now she has her own dance class movement which she organised in different states of the country she lives. Her story and experience reminded me that commitment and dedication to one’s creative gift and talent will always pay off ‘one day’. So my encouragement to you today is not to quit or give up on all you have consistently been doing to fulfilling your dreams and goals because it will all pay off ‘One Day’.
Your gift might not be dancing or related to anything that has to do with creative arts but there is a gift, a talent that God has put inside of you to impact your world. Your gift could also be in the area of business, craft, occupation or the job role you carry out in your place of work. You might have committed so much to the work you do and in fact dedicated most of your resources just to get your big break but nothing seems to be happening. And sometimes you feel frustrated because you think nobody notices what you do. You might even have said to yourself “when will your hard work and diligence pay off.”
David in 1 Samuel 16:14-23 who later became King David is another great example of today’s Bible verse. His diligence to his gift of playing the harp/lyre, a musical instrument to the sheep he tended for his Father and playing it consistently to an audience that seems unknown but cared to listen to his beautiful music. Nothing seemed to be happening, as far he could see but unknown to him, his exceptional talent and skill were being talked about even in the palace. And ‘one day’ his audience change when his skill was required by King Saul. As Terri Savelle Foy rightly said “People are rewarded in public for what they do in private.” and that’s what happened to King David and this will happen to you too as you choose to stay dedicated and diligent to your work.
Therefore, as you go about your daily business and activities today, be encouraged and motivated by today’s Bible verse to keep you motivated, dedicated and committed to your work and business because in due season your ‘One Day’ change experience will happen and you will find that your staying diligent and consistent will not only position you before people of significance and relevance, it will also bring a sense of fulfilment of purpose, knowing your gift is impacting and transforming others positively..
Remember, being Diligent is an important work ethic (that is applicable to the area of your health, education, career, and ministry too) you must strive to have as an individual because it is the fuel that keeps your passion going even when there’s no immediate reward or accolade.
Never forget “People are rewarded in public for what they do in private.” and it will be rewarded one day!
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you.
