Do your best. That is a good motto for just about anything in which you hope to have some measure of success. That simple phrase encourages consistent effort without an expectation of perfection. Though both perfectionism and (oddly enough) complacency have both been present in my life at times, “she does her best” would be a fair broad-stroke comment on how I live my life. Though Yoda may have a strong opinion on the word “try”, I do try.
Since becoming a follower of Jesus my motivation, what I am “trying” to do has shifted. I still have a lot of the same passions and interests that I had before, but my purpose for the passions has changed. One really basic example of how my motivation is different is found in how I treat people, and why I treat them that way. I know that while I was always a good person in my heart, I have become more able to feel and show compassion, empathy, and understanding. I have experienced this shift for two reasons; the first reason is that I have become less guarded and more open to those around me, and the second reason is I have become keenly aware of who I am representing when I say I am a Christ follower.
Prior to finding faith I had an understanding that when I go about my day if people know who’s I am (in an earthly sense) I am not only representing myself by my family as well. The same can be said of representing my profession or even my friends, our behaviour can have an impact on how those around us view those whom we represent. In addition, in my teen and young adult years I became aware of the significant hypocrisy in the church. My awareness of these two things, being a representative of a group you are a part of and “Christian” hypocrisy, shaped the type of believer I was to become. If I say I follow Jesus, then I need to endeavour to always be working out my salvation; becoming more Christ-like as I learn from my mistakes and grow into greater maturity.
With this in mind, I have taken a number of short courses though our local body of believers; not because it is in any way required by those around me, nor because I feel I need to earn my salvation, but because I enjoy doing my best. When I do my best, I feel good. When I do my best I glorify God because He IS good. While I enjoy the teachings, I know that the most important part of this instruction is the application.
Am I walking out what I’m being taught? At times I know I am, but other times I cover my face with my hands and wonder what I was thinking when I acted that way again. What is that way? Well, pretty well any time I fall into an old despised habit.
As much as the courses have aided my spiritual growth, I know that the bulk of my maturation has come in the midst of the storms of life. When chaos is all around and I have no choice but to trust completely in Him, to pray and read the Word and spend time waiting on Him…that’s when the real work gets done. That’s also quite often when the wise instruction I have been given gets applied in meaningful ways. A thunderstorm is a beautiful spectacle to behold, but few of us enjoy being caught in the middle of one! Thank God I am not in the storms alone, thank God He is in control.
He calmed the raging storm, and the waves became quiet- Psalm 107:29
I pray that in the face of life’s challenges I would learn the lessons He desires to teach me, I am loathe to go through the same hard lessons over and over again.
I struggle, and sometimes I even fail, but I do my best.
I am on a mission.
Maturity.
Kyla