GIving ALL Diligence? ALL?!

I just finished a paper earlier this week on 2 Peter 1. One of the keys that God really spoke to my heart on was the phrase "giving all diligence." All. No excuses. Doesn't matter if you're tired, sick, in pain, or what. Give your all.

I had NO idea how soon I would be tested on this concept.

I had a very trying day. I knew in the back of my mind I had to try to pull it together because I had to go meet with a young 7th grade girl and her parents this evening - for the second night in a row. As time drew closer I found myself thinking "I hurt way too much. I don't feel like going. I don't want to go. I can postpone this. I am in too much pain. Today has been so hard and I'm in a terrible frame of mind. I'm tired. I'm weepy. I'm..." on and on. All that kept repeating were my own words typed into the paper just days before and all I kept hearing were His words "giving all diligence." I asked "Really God? Do I really have to go tonight?" He clearly answered "yes" - all 50 times I asked. No - really - I'm that stubborn. I was hoping He'd change His mind or get sick of me asking and give in. I thought I was quite convincing. We all know how likely that is to work - right? So once I conceded that yes I was going to meet with the family I said "God - YOU are going to have to carry me through this tonight. I can't do it. I can't." His reply (SO cool) - "NO PROBLEM."

SO off I went to meet with this little girl and her parents. On the way there I'm jamming to Star 99.1 (local contemporary Christian radio for those outside of NYC) - TRYING to get in a more positive frame of mind. I arrive, paste a smile on my face and go into the home. Within 5 minutes I felt no pain, no tiredness, no anything but pure love and concern for this family. An hour and a half later I leave absolutely rejuvenated. God MOVED. Amazing. I love when He does that. Especially in such visible ways. Two nights in a row He has piloted as I've flown through some unchartered airspace. Two nights in a row He's shown up, opened eyes, and chiseled away at hardened hearts. Two nights in a row He's reminded me how it's all in His hands and that all I have to do is trust and obey. Two nights in a row He's shown me that He can use me and work through me - even at those times when I feel completely inadequate or useless.

As soon as I got in the car to head home the radio came on again and this time I was singing along (the only time I EVER sing out loud unashamed - because no one can hear my joyful NOISE). The second song came on and I remembered I'd heard it yesterday on the way to this family's home and wanted to find the lyrics. I came home, found the song online and read the lyrics line by line. Guess what stood out?

"I wanna know You like that
To live to love with everything I am
To give it all I wanna know You like that
To become a man after Your heart
And not look back
I wanna know You like that
With every breath I breathe
I wanna help others see
And I will never stop ’til everybody’s singing" (Anthem Lights)

To live love with EVERYTHING I am
To give it ALL
NOT LOOK BACK (EF!!!!!! Sound familiar?!)
With EVERY breath I breathe
NEVER stop til EVERYBODY'S singing

The absolutes. The 100%. To give it all. God just keeps giving me the same lessons over and over and over - through SO many means (and people) - until I GET it. Until it REALLY sinks in. Like I said - YES - I'm that stubborn.


Give it ALL diligence - never stop - and never look back.



Link to the song by Anthem Lights if you're interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmwSfYxZ1Pw