Excellence

 

Excellence 

“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.”

 (Colossus 3:23-27, NIV)

 

            Earlier I wrote about my “Pickeringism” that all days are not created equal. Here is another example. There are days that we are full of boundless energy and others when we are as flat as pancakes. However, these feelings are mental, physical, and emotional states, and they do not affect our hearts, just our performance or output.           

As a long-term weekend athlete, there have been too many days when only the heart showed up for the workout; the arms, legs, and head wanted to go back to bed. There were many days when that’s how the day started, but the performance was in the excellent range when it ended.           

One of my best friends and four-time Olympic athlete relates to this. Pat has trained every day of his life, and he can relate to the fact that the heart and head often lead the body, “ …  work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,” and you will be rewarded with excellence. Excellence starts with believing in yourself and the Lord, and the rest will follow. 

Thought for Today: Today, let us remember that “All days are not created equal.” On the day we want to go back to bed, let us trust our hearts and move out, take the leap of faith and give ourselves the chance to exhibit the excellence that God wants us to share. 

Prayer for Today: Dear Lord, we give you thanks for your ongoing presence in our lives. When we are physically worn, you help us recover, and when emotionally drained, you recharge our spirits. We give thanks that you are always with us.

Amen