sokin's devotional 35 - plan diligently

"the plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."

proverbs 21:5

---

"slow and steady wins the race."

Living in a society where everything is, "NOW, NOW, NOW," it is difficult sometimes to see the benefit of a slower pace of living.

But it's not just a slower pace that is advocated here (and in Scripture)...but rather one that demands attention to diligence and duty.

diligence - we must have concern and care over the things that God has entrusted to us. Even in the rabbit and the tortoise story, the tortoise was fixed on winning the race, albeit he was slow as heck. The rabbit probably wanted to win as well, but his actions certainly did not show that he cared much or gave his due diligence to it. In Scripture, we see how ill-preparedness and lack of concern and care into situations brings about a result that is catastrophic (ie. King Saul - 1 Samuel 13)

duty - God has entrusted us with various duties. Family, relationships, people, things, money, etc...and we were meant to treat it as good stewards. Planning and preparing well are marks of doing your duty well, while haste shows a lack of honoring that duty.

By us acting in faith and giving our due diligence and duty into our actions, we are showing that we take the things God has entrusted to us with seriousness. It is not something to mess around with. Haste shows that we really dont care about the result. If things go well, and we planned well, we praise God and give glory to God because at the end of the day, He did it. If we planned well and things don't go the way we want, we praise and give glory to God. Why? Because we know that we did our best and ultimately, God has allowed things to go the way that He intends. It may not make sense to us now, but it will over time.

Overarching all of this though, is the fact that God can turn bad things into good. I may have acted hastily, but God-willing, by His grace, it can end well. That is also in His redemptive nature (and praise His name because of it!!)

But...nonetheless...

Plan diligently. Plan well.