Are You Doing Your Best?

Competition is natural. Even Jesus' disciples were competitive, vying for who was the greatest. In a great example of unhealthy competition, James and John brought their mother into the contest, hoping she could convince Jesus to crown her sons as the champs. When we are consumed by being better than the next guy, we chase an ever moving, and often inappropriate, target. Often, that target isn’t anywhere close to what we are capable of, and once we hit it, we are in danger of settling for something less than our best.

"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." (Galatians 6:4-5)

When God looks at you, He isn't comparing you to your neighbor to see who is better— He is looking to see what you did with the gifts He gave you. That is why my second core conviction is to be the hardest-working person in the room. Hard work is a virtue. It is not just what we do that matters, but how we do it. No matter where we are or what task is before us, honoring God means doing it with everything we have.

Whatever activity I am engaged in, I want to leave it all on the field every day. 

I never want to create slack for somebody else to pick up—Lazy people get in the way. I want to be surrounded by other people who want to be the hardest-working people in the room as well. That creates great momentum and an energy that is unbelievable. When we focus on being our best every day, we encourage and empower our teammates to do the same.

Are you doing your best? Pay attention to your own work and get the satisfaction of a job well done. Be the hardest-working person in the room.