Core scripture: “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (Proverbs 13:4)

Message: A month ago I was flirting with being a mess.  No passion was within.  I was going through the motions and ambling toward a scary word for any teacher: apathy.  It is an unwritten rule in the code of every Christian teacher that we should care deeply about everything.  Man, I was just hoping to survive the day.

Well, I found myself over Christmas Break.  I got the rest I needed, I mixed up my quiet time, my new medication to conquer seasonal depression kicked in, and I found myself thinking of a word I wanted to revolve my hear around.  It was a word I needed in my heart, in every area of my life …

Diligence.

According to www.dictionary.com, to be diligent is defined as “constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything.”  A few other definitions mentioned you are not just attentive, but you are doing something with a fervent passion.  I needed that!  At work.  In my marriage.  In parenting.  My quiet time.  My friendships.  Everything.

Now that I have my word for 2020, I need to sit down and write down some applicable goals for me to achieve in those areas.  Yes, the dreaded New Year’s resolutions.  Scratch that word dreaded.  If these goals will make me a more diligent person, then I should look forward to making these changes, right?  J  I digress …

So, what about you?  What word do you need in 2020?  I have chosen a word based on what I needed for the last five or six years.  I could go back to see what those words were on my previous blogs, but I am not wasting time on that.  Why focus on the past when I should strive to reach toward the future, right?  It is time to shove on.

Pray about your word.  Focus your heart on what God needs from you.  Once you have picked your word for 2020, I would love to hear from you in a comment.  Reply back below to encourage us all with your word.  I am sure all of our words combined together would make the ultimate Christian teacher!

May you all be diligent in your selection.  Best of luck as you forge on into this new decade!!!

(I am now wondering if the extra cup of coffee is the reason for the emphasis on exclamation marks above!)

Challenge: Find a word to define your year, and revolve some specific written goals around it.  To keep yourself accountable, share the goals with a reliable friend to check in with you on a regular basis.  Or reply below and you will have over 150 followers praying for you and your word.

Song application: “Day One” by Matthew West

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxCI-8lUjfo

Well, every single day Your grace reminds me
That my best days are not behind me
Wherever my yesterday may find me
Well, I don’t have to stay there, no

See my hourglass is upside down
My someday soon is here and now
The clock is tickin’
And I’m so sick and tired of missing out

I wish I wasn’t wishing anymore
Wish I could remember that nobody’s keeping score
I’m tired of throwing pennies in a well
I gotta do something
Here goes nothin’

It’s day one of the rest of my life
It’s day one of the best of my life
I’m marching on to the beat of a brand new drum
Yeah, here I come
The future has begun
Day one

Video application: I may be criticized for adding this link, but it makes me smile.  If you have never heard Shia LaBeouf’s “Just Do It” speech, he might scare you into making your dreams for 2020 to come true.  Check it out below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsQAXx_ao0

Just for fun: One of the 6^th grade students I mentor at my church approached me Sunday morning, proudly holding up his coffee cup.  “Clint, I set a new record!  Sixteen creamer cups!”  Ladies and gentlemen, proof that the human brain does not fully develop until you are 25.

Pass it on: Do you know a teacher that could use these weekly messages of encouragement?  Forward this link on to them!  Who knows … if I am DILIGENT in writing what God calls me to, it might change their life for the better.  The glory goes to Him.

Prayer: Lord, help us all get started off on the right track, putting You first in our lives.  May we all follow our own unique callings to what You need us to do.  Amen.