Get By or Get Better
Growing up, while I was bright, I was extremely comfortable in school getting the “easy B” instead of putting out a little more effort to earn an “A.” It really didn’t make much difference going the extra distance to get 100% on my tests because I was perfectly content coasting through school.
When pushed by my parents, I could get the A’s. But top grades really didn’t matter to me because I was always negatively compared to my younger brother who got those top grades. Because of that, I remained happy getting by.
In college, I did much the same because once I earned my Army scholarship, I had to simply maintain a B average to maintain my scholarship and I had a job lined up after college. It demanded little.
But, in 2000, when I attended seminary to earn my M.A. in Christian counseling, I began to change. I realized that what I did was not for man, but for God. Reading Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP) was a real wakeup call for me:
Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
I realized all that I do is for the Lord and not just for a grade or a paycheck. I live and work for a higher purpose and Person.
WOW!! That realization was truly life transforming. And so was marrying Linda. Whatever Linda does she does with true excellence and she really helped me grow into doing, being, and living the best I can as for the Lord Jesus. She helped me grow in so many ways and one of the biggest ways is through her living example of excellence.
So, if you want to live a better life, the choice is up to you. You can Get By or Get Better…in whatever area of your life you choose.
We can either be a good witness by striving to do our best or we can be a less than good witness by not striving to do our best. It’s all a matter of focus.
If God truly transformed us future securing our eternal life, it stands to reason that that transformation would affect our daily life. We hope others might ask us, “What makes you so different?” St. Francis Assisi is often quoted as saying, “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” Your example of striving for excellence–not in a legalistic, works manner— will cause others to ask what makes you different. And that, my friend, opens the door for an honest and frank gospel discussion!
