We all have good days and bad days, on days and off days, and are therefore not always at our best. However, generally what we put our best into reveals what we are most interested in.
Someone has said, “Only a mediocre person is always at his best.” (William Somerset Maugham, “Forbes”, Aug. 1, 1977) [source: “A Treasury of Business Quotations”, compiled by Michael C. Thomsett, p.96]
It is true there are some things each of us may not be able to do as well as others. But some of those we are called upon to do anyway. Are we at least attempting to give it our best? Though we may acknowledge our struggle with not always being at our best, are we striving toward that end? Or are we like the individual who asked a preacher, “What is the ‘least’ I have to do to be a Christian?” We might do well to first consider where we would be if our Lord had come to do only the “minimum” for us?
Paul exhorted Timothy to. . .
“(15)Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
The KJV reads, “Study to shew thyself approved. . . .” To study points toward in depth consideration and effort on our part. But the Greek word Paul used implies even more. It literally means “to hasten to do a thing”, which seems to point toward an element of eagerness. It also means “to exert one’s self” or “give diligence toward.” This would imply the energy and seriousness in approaching the task. Paul’s encouragement directed far away from a spirit of mediocrity.
Aren’t we glad we do not have a mediocre God? May our life reveal how much we appreciate that fact by the way we approach our Christian growth and service.
Have a great day EAGERLY ENERGIZED TOWARD GODLY ENDEAVORS!
Carl
