When I question if I’m giving my best, I usually think about the tasks I am currently working toward accomplishing. Work. Writing. Housecleaning. Volunteer activities. I also think about my physical self, such as my efforts with sports and exercising. All worthwhile activities.
Another important way to consider if I’m giving my best is concerning eternity.
I care a lot, probably too much, about what others think and am motivated by appearing to be doing my best. People are easily fooled, though, and simply performing above average can sometimes give the illusion of best.
God knows the difference, and He knows that I don’t always give my best even if others think I am. What’s more, He knows that even when I am giving my best, I often fail to do so for the right reasons, for His glory rather than mine.
What prevents me from always giving my best? When I do feel like I’m giving my best, why do I feel the need to seek the recognition and approval of other people?
As I attempted to evaluate myself in a way that will move me toward my absolute best for God, I asked myself the following questions:
- Does the goal sometimes hinder me from doing my best? In other words, am I focusing too much on the future at the expense of the present? Can I take my mind off my vision, at least partially, to focus on what I’m doing in the moment? Am I out of balance and need to redirect myself by Focusing on the Now?
- Are my goals temporal or eternal? Do I focus myself more on that which will one day “pass away”? (John 1:17) Or, do my goals reflect my belief in eternity? (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
- Do I need to see to believe, or am I willing to believe without seeing? Do I need to be quiet and silent for a while like Zacharias to overcome my doubt? (Luke 1:5-25) Do I have simple faith in God to be faithful as He has always proven Himself to be? Am I willing to have the faith of a mustard seed knowing He gives me the faith I need to accomplish His will? In other words, am I willing to walk by faith and not by sight? (2 Corinthians 5:1-9)
- Am I willing to accept that I need to wrestle with doubt to have faith? Am I willing to think and question and wrestle and struggle to see that He really is true and faithful? Am I willing to have faith even when I can barely keep up and feel like I might drown?
- Can I accept that trials are opportunity for growth rather than simply obstacles to my happiness and comfort? Am I willing to allow God to help me, knowing that He allows trials (i.e., tests) to build my faith? (James 1:2-4)
Faith plays a vital role in my doing my best. When I let God control my faith, it blossoms and strengthens. When my faith comes from my life circumstances, whether I face trials as well as if my focus lies in the temporal or the eternal, I am allowing my faith to be directed by forces other than the author and perfecter of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2) When my faith is misdirected, so are my efforts, and both eventually fail me.
When I allow my focus to be on anything except God, my growth becomes stagnant, and my attitude begins to stink. When this happens, I am unable to do my best. Either that, or my best becomes focused on that which does not go on into eternity.
Barb
Great post, Kari! I especially like your fifth question. It always helps me when I remember, Oh yeah, this is a trial, it can make me grow closer to God and more like HIm. How does God want me to handle it? Rather than my initial gut reaction. What??? This isn't fun! I shouldn't have to put up with this! What can I do to get out of it?
Kari Scare
I wish I would remember sooner rather than later though. Seems like I have to go through that whining and complaining first to get there. Maybe I'd handle it better if that part was cut short somehow.
mary Jeffries
i relate totally and your honesty and openness in your struggles encourages me in my daily walk. God is faithful for both of us! thanks! This assessment is tough! Mary
Kari Scare
Yes, he is definitely faithful. Thank you for the encouragement.
lorenpinilis
Your first point hit home with me. You mentioned how the goal can interfere with the best right now. It reminded me of how good is the enemy of the best. Sometimes we can just become content instead of taking a step back to really evaluate if we're on the right path.
Kari Scare
We also tend to forget that our best is variable. How we feel physically and mentally as well as how we are doing spirituall will affect what our best can be for any given day. Deliberate and regular evaluation is key.
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W.Steve Miller
You can't do better than your best.