It’s easy to look at someone who is really good at what they do and think that they are just so gifted, or smart, just a natural at it.  While that can be true to a certain extent, I believe there is a larger portion of the population that excels in things not because of talent, but because of diligence.

Diligence is a steady and earnest effort.  I think of it as working towards something every day, even though at first there are no visible results for that effort.  

A few years ago I started to bake homemade cakes for my children’s birthdays.  It started as just wanting to make something homemade and tasty for their birthdays.  I began searching online and on YouTube for recipes and designs.  And man, the stuff out there is pretty impressive!  But I am glad that I didn’t just throw in the towel before I even started because there were much better looking and tastier cakes out there.  I just said to myself, I’m going to try this and at the very least, my kids will enjoy it.  I noticed over time that I have been able to get better at it and have even made a few cakes for friends’ special events. 

It’s tempting to shrink back and not even start because we don’t feel confident that we are doing something correctly, or maybe I feel like I can’t do things as well as someone else who does it better.

But I’ve learned that confidence comes through practice.  If I am diligent to learn and repeatedly try and try again, I will eventually gain confidence in that area.

This year I am reading through the Old Testament with a great group of ladies.  I’ve read the Bible and certain passages so many times throughout my life.  And each time I read it, I’m learning more and I am less intimidated by it.    But that came because I continued to give it a chance and didn’t give up on understanding it.

Even God rewards diligence as we read in Hebrews 11:6.

 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Is there something that you want to try, but are afraid to start?  If you just get started today and diligently and repeatedly put an effort towards that task,  in one month, in 6 months, and in one year you will be amazed at where you will be, compared to where you started.

As long as you have breath in your lungs, there is still time.  Don’t put it off any longer.  And if God is with you, there’s no telling where you can take it!