Now is the time.... To Do Your Best

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed....
2 Timothy 2:15

Every now and again something just touches me in a way that inspires me to be more than just mediocre. This time it was watching a cellist in an orchestra play her heart out in an amazing solo item on stage. Her eyes were closed in concentration and she just went for it. We all knew that this didn't just happen, it was the culmination of years of practice and no doubt, at times, frustration and pain. But what she gave me that night was a gift that delighted my senses and inspired me to be the best that I can be.

This past weekend at our church, Olympic Gold medallist swimmer Duncan Armstrong delighted us with stories of his career including his 1988 world record win in Seoul, Korea. He spoke of weeks, months, in fact 4 years of intense training which led up to that 1 minute and 47 second swim which took him to fame overnight.

We may never be performing on a world stage of any kind, but for each of us God has a purpose, a time in history (his story) that He has purposed for us to fulfil in a way that no one else can. Not one of us knows when that time is. Some of us may have some idea about God's destiny for us but usually we do not know the timing. Ours is but to work, train and prepare and be ready for God's time. Training involves hard work, pain, dedication, time and commitment. Those who train for their passion give up their sleep, time and comfort in order to become the best that they can be.

Our life as a Christian should be our passion. We will reap a far greater reward than '10 minutes of fame' on earth. Our reward is eternal. What are we willing to endure for our passion? The apostle Paul endured great hardship and persecutions for his faith, but he looked to the future glory and so should we. Sometimes we forget our destiny in the day to day drudgery. Let us look with anticipation and let us train well for our part in God's Kingdom. In doing so we will be found well pleasing to God and maybe we will even inspire others to be the best that they can be just as that musician did for me !

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for calling me into your kingdom and preparing me for your purposes. Help me to cooperate with your Holy Spirit to train and be ready to fulfil all that you have planned for me to do. Amen