"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters." –Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
I'm going to be really honest for a minute. I have definitely been struggling lately with not doing my best in all things. I just finished with summer school and it is such a relief, but looking back, I know I could have done better, and I could have tried a little harder. I have to stop myself when I try to justify it by telling myself that I will do better after this season of my life. I have had a "C's get degrees" attitude lately, and quite frankly, it isn't ok. The Bible rebukes laziness many different times. No, doing well in college doesn't define me, but how I carry myself through this time is a reflection of my where my heart is at.
A few weeks ago, I was at a bible study with the campus ministry from my church. We talked about having a spirit of excellence and read from Matthew 25 about the parable of the talents. It hit me that I was the third servant, who buried his money rather than investing it, like the others. I am in college right now, and it isn't just a waiting time, this is a time that the Lord has specifically purposed for me to learn and grow and for me to serve others. And those classes I have to attend (college, remember) I can use those to glorify the Lord as well. This is a time of refinement. If I don't have the discipline to write a paper for class, and do it well, how can I expect the Lord to trust me with larger tasks? I want to change the world, and that starts with changing my own heart, here and now. I have to be the servant who is a good steward of what I'm given, knowing that the Lord will bless it, and that my efforts are not in vain.
"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance." –Matthew 25:29
Don't wait until you get to a certain place to do what the Lord wants you to do, because He wants you to do something right where you are, even if there are bigger plans for the future. Serve God, praise God, love God, love others, and operate in a spirit of excellence right where you are, right now.
We don't have to be perfect, the Lord knows that we're not. But there is a difference in trying to be perfect and striving to be excellent. I want to strive to do everything in life with excellence, knowing that the Lord will be glorified through it.
