Is That The Best You Can Do?

 





by Shelia Gaines

Verse for Thought: 
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

When I was in graduate school, I worked on a semester long project for one of my classes.   It was a paper that was done in three parts.    I spent a lot of time on it and worked very hard on the first two parts.  I don’t remember what happened, but I just know that for whatever reason, I kind of threw the last part together, hoping and praying that what I had already would be enough to carry the grade.  As you
might have guessed, shoddy preparation and the lack of time spent on the last part was reflective in both the quality of the work and the grade I received.   As a matter of fact, I did such a poor job on it that the professor commented that the last part looked as if someone else had done the first part.

Our verse for thought lets us know that whatever we do should be done as unto the Lord.  In other words, we should put our whole heart into it.  That’s exactly what I did in the previously mentioned paper.  At least initially!  Thinking about that made me wonder how often we do the same thing in our Christian walk. I wonder how often we put the majority of our time and energy into our home, our job, and our “life”, believing what’s left (often a “whole hour” on Sunday morning) should suffice as our time for God.     I know many people who spend a lot of time at work to take care of a family that’s at home feeling neglected.  On the other hand, I know many people who pend so much time at church that their family that they have at home feels neglected.  

If we truly understand today’s verse for thought, we realize that putting God first does not mean neglecting everything else.  It means always seeking His guidance in finding that often elusive “balance” required to follow Proverbs 3:6.  In all thy ways, acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.

Let’s Pray: 
Thank you God for everything that you have given me in this precious gift we call life.   Help me to know how to prioritize without becoming disorganized.  When I am overwhelmed, show me how to look to you with gratitude instead of attitude, following the example set by your son.

Take the next step:
Read Colossians 3 and consider where you are in all of the relations it deals with.  The next time you find yourself tempted to do less than your best, ask yourself that now famous question, “What would Jesus do?” Prayerfully seek the answer and follow his advice.