How to Combine Diligence and Zeal for the Best Summer
We are fully into Summer. I perceive Summer as the season with a slow pace. Since the evenings are longer, I lean into the illusion I have more time. More time to relax, more time to spend with family and friends, more time to explore, and more time to enjoy myself.
The Enjoyable Summer Life
Most of us spend a significant portion of our summer planning, anticipating and then participating in a vacation. We camp, hike, explore, visit, swim, sleep in, stay up late, learn, and laugh.
During the summer, I live a life I enjoy more. I act more quickly to entertain with spontaneous bar-b-ques. My sweet Pastor husband and I initiate evenings out for ice cream or frozen yogurt with friends. We play games, take walks, and chat with our neighbors.
However, I know I can go “full vacation mode” and not keep up on the details of a well-structured daily life. I put off cleaning the house and I forego wise eating habits. You can find me spending too much time reading or spending too much money shopping.
Diligence and Zeal
I was intrigued recently by a combination of two words in Romans 12:11. Paul, the author of Romans, grabbed my attention by combining diligence and zeal. From my point of view, I found the words to resemble the tension between “full vacation mode” and a well-structured life.
“Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.”
Romans 12:11, CSB
In my mind, I paint the word zeal with every color imaginable. I find the word energetic, enthusiastic, and full of passion. I would describe it as a “full vacation mode” word.
On the other hand, in my mind, I view the word diligence as a work word. I conjure the connotations of nose to the grindstone, keep plugging away, and wade through the mud.
Can you see how I experience a tension between zeal and diligence? I find it similar to my battle every summer to enjoy all the life summer provides, while also maintaining a structure that is healthy and wise. I began to wonder what Paul was really trying to say.
Romans 12
We find verse eleven in the middle of Romans chapter 12. Paul begins the chapter instructing the believers in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices. In addition, he warns them against conforming to the culture around them.
Furthermore, he reminds them, and us, we are all part of the body of Christ. Though we have individual talents and gifting, we are to be unified and work together. Paul also emphasizes we are to love and care for one another since we are all one body. Even if we struggle to get along with everyone.
I find it interesting that verse eleven comes immediately after Paul says to “love without hypocrisy” and “love one another deeply.” In other words, we are to be genuine and not two-faced. We are to love generously and not turn it on and off according to what feels convenient or inconvenient. This type of love is so much more than being nice.
A Costly Love
Paul knew this love was costly. I believe Paul’s combination of zeal and diligence is the key to this profound love. Since this love is often difficult, Paul consequently began chapter twelve by reminding the church in Rome to present themselves as living sacrifices.
Jesus has loved each of us with this wondrous love. The more we experience Jesus’ magnanimous love, we get enthusiastic, or zealous, about loving as Jesus loves. We gain fervor, an eager desire, to spread the love and joy we have found. Sometimes, we so overwhelm others with our excitement and passion they back away from us, and from Christ.
Balancing Zeal and Diligence
Paul combined zeal and diligence because our zeal is to be anchored in diligence. We must control and focus our zeal to achieve the best impact. We use caution and concern for others, to temper our enthusiasm in ways that best reflect how Jesus would behave. Additionally, we manage our zeal so that it remains constant.
On the flip side, our diligence is to be empowered by zeal. We must be earnestly dedicated to pleasing God and not conforming to the world. However, we must allow God’s Spirit to fill us with His passion and zest. Then we can serve Him by fervently loving others well.
God’s Spirit empowers us with zeal, and we move from acting out “love without hypocrisy” to tenderly and genuinely caring for those within our circle of influence. The Spirit prompts us to serve Him intentionally with animated and energetic sincerity.
This Summer’s Big Opportunity
We all get to enjoy Summer’s slower pace over the next couple of months. We have the perfect opportunity to practice zeal with diligence, as well as being diligently zealous. As we enjoy bar-b-ques, evening walks, and all of our favorite summer activities, let us eagerly dedicate ourselves to share the love of Jesus.
We each have moments ahead of us when we can love others deeply and without hypocrisy. God’s Spirit will prompt and empower us to plan and anticipate each holy opportunity. May we view our Summer as a season filled with a plethora of joyful occasions to serve our Savior and Lord as living sacrifices.
Summer by the Pool Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash
1 thought on “How to Combine Diligence and Zeal for the Best Summer”
Comments are closed.