“Whatever It Takes”

“The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Pr 13:4 NIV

The word “diligence” includes such qualities as hard work, honesty, persistence, and striving for excellence. The New Living Bible Translation puts it this way: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” One expert says, “Success doesn’t come from being a hundred percent better than your competition, but from being one percent better in a hundred different ways.” Syndicated business columnist Dale Dauten says: “If you want to be creative in your company, your career or your life, it all comes down to one easy step…the extra one. When you encounter a familiar plan, you just ask one question: ‘What else could we do?’” To succeed you’ll have to do more—more than you may want, more than your competition, more than you think you’re capable of. The poet William Arthur Ward said: “I will do more than belong—I will participate. I will do more than care—I will help. I will do more than believe—I will practice. I will do more than be fair—I will be kind. I will do more than forgive—I will forget. I will do more than dream—I will work. I will do more than teach—I will inspire. I will do more than learn—I will enrich. I will do more than give—I will serve. I will do more than live—I will grow. I will do more than suffer—I will triumph.” You can’t do whatever’s easiest and still reach your goal. You must do more. You must do “whatever it takes.”

February 25, 2013 | Daily Devotions    Permalink