Diligent in the Little Things

What’s your first response when your day-to-day work is boring or frustrating? It’s probably not to work harder at it. In fact, if you’re like me, your first instinct is probably to do the bare minimum. You might wonder how little you can do and still satisfy your teacher, coach, or parents. When we’re tired of repetitive tasks or doing something we don’t enjoy, it’s easy to fall into this way of thinking. So how can we combat it and follow the instructions of Colossians 3:17, doing “it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (NIV)? I want to share some practical ways to increase your diligence even in the little things of your day-to-day life.

Diligent in School 

First, how do we apply this to school? How can you stay diligent when you’re doing those math problems that are making you practice the same concept over and over and over? Or when your science class has pages and pages to read and then a whole list of problems to complete?  

It’s really easy to fall into a complacent frame of mind during these times. “If I just guess on a couple of math problems, it won’t really matter if I get one or two wrong.” “I don’t really have to understand exactly how this science concept works. As long as I know a word or two associated with it, I’ll be fine.” 

But that’s not how God wants us to think. He wants us to keep working diligently at our school and to understand what we are learning because that is the work He has given us at this time of life.  

One way to keep up our diligence and not fall into complacency is to take breaks. When we take a short break to refresh our minds, it’s easier to apply ourselves more energetically to our work later. By letting our brains take a brief rest, we enable ourselves to focus more clearly on whatever we do next and complete the task with one hundred percent effort. 

Another great way is to make your work fun. Listen to your favorite music, do your work in a clean space, or take a break from your desk for a change in scenery. When I get bored with my schoolwork, I like to switch from my desk to my bed, our couch, or the kitchen table to give myself some new energy and a change from what I’m used to seeing while I work.  

Diligent in other areas of life 

Sometimes, even in the things we enjoy doing, in our hobbies, sports, instruments, clubs, jobs, etc, we struggle to be diligent. If you’re doing the same thing from day to day or week to week, it’s easy to grow bored of it, even if it’s something you love.  

This can be especially true if you fall into the trap of working hard only for those who are watching you. Maybe you’re only trying to do well to please your coach, instructor, or parents. But Colossians 3 says a bit later in verse 23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (NIV).  

Working diligently is difficult when we do it only for humans. If you’re feeling stuck or bored in your commitments, try to work at what you’re doing for God, not for men. If you picture God watching you as you work, it’s so much easier to try your best and not be contented with just okay.  

 

It’s extremely easy to content ourselves with the bare minimum, only doing what we absolutely need to. But when we remember to keep God in our focus while we work, working for Him and doing what He has called us to do, we can work more diligently and go above and beyond expectations.