One day a number of years ago, as I was fellowshipping with God, I asked Him why I wasn't experiencing certain results in my life that I knew were available to me in the Word of God. A clear answer came up in my spirit: "Like so many other people, the reason you do not experience the results you are promised to because you are lazy!"

The message was direct. There were certain aspects of basic Christian living that I had temporarily laid aside. It was nothing that most people would call major. When there is something, however, which is robbing you of the success which God paid a dear price to give you, God sees it as major.

Proverbs 6 provides some important insight into successful Christian living:

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathered her food in the harvest.
(Prov. 6:6-8)

There is a tremendous lesson available to the Christian who will observe the ant's qualities and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate them in his spirit.

It is with relentless zeal that the ant goes about its daily business. It is continually active and consumed with the progress of its work.

The ant is self-motivated. It requires no overseer. It is a planner which provides for itself by storing up a supply in the harvest time. The ant knows how to work together with its co-workers in harmony and singleness of purpose. It also carries its own weight and much more. As much as 50 times more than its own weight.

These are qualities that the Holy Spirit will cultivate in you if you begin to reach out to Him.

He will become the motivator within you, moving you in the direction of achievement. He will unfold His plan to you and, by following that plan step by step, you will see things from God's vantage point.

You will not always need outside advice in order to make decisions. You will begin to develop confidence in the direction of the Holy Spirit residing within you.

Even if you seem to lack some of the positive attributes of the ant, don't let that discourage you. Become aware of the attitude God has toward you. He sees the potential of these things coming alive in you. Develop that same attitude toward yourself.

Many times it seems easier to "coast" along. But in the long run, life is what we make it to be through our decisive action. We usually accomplish just about what we set out to accomplish.

Source: A Guide to Successfully Attaining Your God-Given Goals
by Dennis Burke.
Excerpt permission granted by Dennis Burke Publications