When Nothing Seems to Change: The Call to Diligence

Let’s be honest. Sometimes, putting in the work feels pointless. You push, you strive, you pray, you obey—and still, nothing. No breakthrough, no visible fruit, just silence. And if you listen to the world long enough, it will tell you to quit. “If it’s not working, move on,” they say. But that’s not how God works.

The Bible is filled with people who toiled in obedience without seeing results for years. Noah built the ark before a single raindrop fell. Joseph endured slavery and prison before he saw his dream fulfilled. Abraham waited decades for his promised son. They didn’t see quick returns. They saw long, hard roads—and they stayed the course.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

The problem is, we’ve been trained to expect instant rewards. Work out for a week—see results. Invest for a month—double your money. Pray once—get an answer. But faithfulness doesn’t work like that. God is not a vending machine, and the things that matter most—character, wisdom, endurance—are built over time.

Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a farmer who scatters seed (Mark 4:26-29). The seed grows, but “he knows not how.” There’s a hidden process, a waiting period before the harvest. And during that waiting, doubt creeps in.

That’s when you have a choice: give up or keep going. Trust your eyes or trust God’s promise.

Diligence is faith in action. It’s saying, “I don’t see it yet, but I believe God is working.” And that belief? That’s what separates those who finish the race from those who drop out.

God’s timing is perfect, but it’s rarely on our schedule. The question is, will you keep going when nothing seems to change? Because the promise still stands:

“In due season, we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Don’t quit before your harvest. Keep going.