Are you a perfectionist? Do you do things over and over until you get them right? Or are you more of a get it done, turn it in and move on kind of person? I believe you should always put your best foot forward as the saying goes.
When I taught kindergarten I had a student named Andy who hadn’t quite learned that lesson. Andy preferred not to be bothered with work, especially work that wasn’t of his choosing. One day I gave the class an assignment and Andy scribbled something down on his paper and handed it to me before I could even make my way to my desk. He hadn’t even had time to think about it. He’d simply put something on paper to say he was done. I handed it back to him and told him it wasn’t his best work and he would have to do it again. This happened three more times before Andy blurted out a very loud expletive which guaranteed him a fast pass to the principals office (school policy). I don’t know if Andy remembers that incident, but I’ll never forget it. He spent more time doing the assignment wrong than it would have taken him to do it correctly, if he had simply applied himself.
How many of us rush through our day like Andy, in a blur, checking things off our list. Do we slow down at all to focus on what we’re doing. Do we take our time, give it our all, and move to the next thing on our list only after we’ve given our best effort?
Colossians 3:23-24 says,
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
This is so important. God will not give us big assignments until we prove ourselves worthy of small ones [Luke 16:10]. We are representatives of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, so we should strive for excellence in all we do.
People are always watching believers. They are looking for any opportunity to point out a believer who says one thing and does another to nullify the Christian faith. We are witnesses at all times, even when we are poor witnesses. If we make it a habit to always strive to do our best for Christ, then we will be a good witness for Him more often than not.
Oswald Chambers said,
The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.”
We’re never more like Christ that when we give our absolute best for Him, whether we feel like it or not. It’s sacrificial. It’s selfless. It’s Christ and we’re incapable of doing it on our own. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to make that happen. It takes someone who is walking closely with Christ to live life with this type of devotion and dedication.
Are you giving the best you have to give or are you just trying to check it off a to do list? God has called you to excellence and He’s prepared to help you get there. Don’t despair. Embrace 1 Thessalonians 5:24, then go for it!
The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”
Great reminder!! We never get a second chance to do things right the FIRST time. We should always strive to do our best. I can still hear my Daddy telling me that from the time I was a tiny girl. Wise words.
Thanks, Leah. I’m always encouraged by you. Have a fabulous weekend!