Dare to Be Diligent
Bob Dees
Director, LU Institute for Military Resilience
©2015 Resilience Consulting LLC
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman
who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
(II Timothy 2:15, underline added)
Some of you may be familiar with the amazing life story of Dr. Ben Carson, the pediatric
neurosurgeon who rose from poverty and a fatherless home in Detroit to become world
famous. One of the recurring themes in his life story, recorded in a book and a movie entitled
Gifted Hands, is that teachers and others would often open doors of opportunity to him when
they saw his eagerness to learn and improve. Despite strong peer pressure toward mediocrity,
Dr. Carson “dared to be diligent,” resulting in excellence in service to others.
Reflecting on Dr. Carson’s example (and that of many others), I realized that this scenario holds
true in many ways in God’s Kingdom. While we can be rightly grateful for God’s unconditional
love and mercy through Jesus bestowed upon each of us, many of God’s promises and
provisions are conditional in nature. As we obediently, diligently, and proactively put forth our
best effort, God in turn showers favor upon us in amazing and unforeseen ways.
No doubt you can think of many examples from your own life experience, or from the pages of
the Bible. Here are a few “if-then” conditional promises from God’s Word:
 “and (if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and
seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will
forgive their sin and will heal their land. “ (II Chronicles 7:14)
 “Train up a child in the way he should go, (and) even when he is old he will not
depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
 “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way … so
that your prayers will not be hindered.” (I Peter 3:7)
 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6,7)
 “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, (then) He makes even his enemies to
be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)
 “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added
to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
 Add your own… there are many more!
Also from the pages of Scripture, I think of young Timothy. Admonished “not to despise his
youth,” he was a model of one who’s diligent attitude as a learner and disciple engendered
good will from his primary mentors: Paul, Barnabas, Lois (Mother), and Eunice (Grandmother).
In the Book of II Timothy, Paul provides many exhortations towards diligence and obedience to
the young man he regarded as a son, including the following:
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman
who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
(II Timothy 2:15, underline added)
Isn’t this great advice for all of us? From my earliest remembrances, I can still hear my own
mother saying “Bobby, your father and I don’t expect you to be perfect. We just want you to
do your best.” I heard this when I entered the first grade, and when I entered college. She was
encouraging me to be diligent, to be a learner, to reach my full God-given potential in Jesus.
My wise mother knew that “if I did my best, God would take care of the rest.”
May each of us seek to fulfill the conditions of God’s many rich promises on our behalf. May
we “Dare to be Diligent.” Then we will experience the promises themselves -- to our
edification, to the blessing of others, and to His Glory!
Put on your thinking cap.
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Respectfully in Christ,
Bob
Bob Dees
LU Institute for Military Resilience
www.LUOnline.com/IMR
------------------------------------------------0-----------------------------------------------The next Institute for Military Resilience (IMR) Webinar entitled
“Marks of a Great Military Chaplain:
Caring for the Warrior’s Soul”
will be presented by Chaplain (Colonel) Steve Keith from the Liberty University Center for
Chaplaincy at 8 PM on Thursday, April 9, 2015. From the webinar promotional content:
Chaplain (Colonel) Steve Keith, USAF Retired, D.Min. –Active duty Air Force
chaplain for over 30 years with multiple deployments into harm’s way. Former
director of the Armed Forces Chaplain Center and Commandant of the Air Force
Chaplain Corps College. Now serves as Director of the Liberty University Center
for Chaplaincy, seeking to best prepare chaplain students to provide soul care for
those they serve.
See you there for a powerful time of unique insights into
caring for the warrior’s soul.
Register at www.liberty.edu/IMRWebinars