Being Determined Isn’t Enough
Being determined isn’t enough, you also have to be diligent!
I’m in the book of Ecclesiastes for my quiet time and ran across a verse that jumped out to me. Ecclesiastes is a fascinating book in the Bible. Here you have Solomon, who was the wisest and richest man in the Scriptures, and probably of all time. Solomon had it all and tried it all. He had wealth, fame, power, possessions, education. Yet after experiencing ALL this world had to offer, Solomon said, “It’s all meaningless.” Wow! In Solomon’s writings (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), there is such great insight into life.
Ecclesiastes 7:23 says I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work!
Catch that? He was determined to be wise, but that wasn’t enough. Why wasn’t it enough? Because determination isn’t enough, you also have to be diligent.
If you’re determined to lose weight but not diligent to exercise and eat right it will never be enough.
If you’re determined to be financially free but not diligent to live on a budget, save money and stay out of debt, it will never be enough.
If you’re determined to grow in your faith but not diligent to read your Bible every day, spend time with God in prayer and take your next steps it won’t be enough.
You can be determined to do or accomplish anything, but until you are diligent to do what it takes it won’t be enough.
Being determined isn’t enough, you also have to be diligent!
Where does your diligence need to match your determination?
