“For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today” Ruth 3:18

Considered as one of the symbols of the American Far West, diligence is defined as the alertness, dedication and industry shown in continual effort to accomplish a task. As a result of diligence, some people, not particularly brilliant, achieved meteoric breakthrough that left many speechless. For having failed to demonstrate it often despite their talent, others only succeeded in landing in the mass of the anonymous.

Diligence is therefore a key quality that can easily make the difference in the competition world of ours today. While it is common to see people display a selective diligence that only operates in matters that present a direct and immediate interest for them, it appears like this quality is embodied in the personality of others to the point that irrespective of the situation facing them, they evidence it.

Boaz, as he is the one the text of Ruth 3 is about, is of the latter category because, if without stammering, Naomi could say that he would not rest until the matter was settled, it surely was not out of her imagination and much less based on testimonies. It was the outcome of him systematically displaying that quality in the slightest of actions he took in the past.

When he was on earth, Jesus also showed diligence in carrying out his father’s work as shown in Luke 2:49. In John 9:4 he could declare: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

Why is it that important for us to exercise diligence? Simply because diligence sets us in peace with ourselves and multiplies our potential to achieve prosperity. Diligence is indeed likely to make us known to those whose support is enough to impulse a new dynamism that will speed realization of our destiny. As in the race for success there is no substitute to work, so is the diligence, a precious leaven that increases effect of work and happy are them that understand it.

It is diligence in the work that will make your apparently modest initiatives of today, the companies that will stand as models tomorrow. So be diligent!