Don’t Do Less Than Your Best

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23). When I was a boy growing up, my father taught me this verse and the truths behind the verse. His advice to me was simple: “If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right!” I learned to live by this principle early in my life. My first job was delivering newspapers. I was taught to take the newspaper to the front door, and put it between the storm door and the front door. I was also taught not to walk on people’s grass, but to use the sidewalk. These may seem like silly things to you, but they taught me the value of Colossians 3:23. I was delivering newspapers for the glory of God, and not for the customers inside the house. These same things have continued in my life even until today. When I became a young man, I loved being involved in competitive sports. My father was a great athlete, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I loved playing and watching sports. I remember sitting in church one Sunday and surrendering sports in my life to God. I felt as though sports had become an idol in my life. I remember surrendering my heart, and the part that sports played in my life to God that day. I was sure God would take sports out of my life, but He did not. God took sports, and gave it back to me under His control, and in a way that He could use it for His glory. I had the privilege of playing competitive sports all the way until I was fifty years old. At that point, my body told me it was time to stop. God also gave me the opportunity to coach both soccer and basketball as I got older. The thing I thought God was going to remove, became one of the greatest ministry opportunities I have had in my life. A number of my players have gone on to full-time ministry as pastors. Many of them told me that the things they learned on the field or on the court have stayed with them in ministry until today. It proved to me that for the Christian, everything we do should be spiritual, a sacrifice to God to please Him. God can use anything we place in His hands … even sports! I praise God for the many ways I can serve Him with my life!
Don’t do less than your best!