Each of us has responsibilities to fulfill, tasks to perform, decisions to make, and a whole lot of other things to do. Some we may consider trivial, others of considerable importance. We have chores at home—basic cleaning and maintenance, preparing meals, doing the laundry. Parental responsibilities include providing for the education of our children, as well as driving them to class or sports training or dance lessons. Then we have duties to fulfill in the workplace—whether we are employees or business owners. For students, there are class assignments, homework, exams.
And we cannot ignore the demands that certain relationships place on us—whether they be romantic, or simply of the best friend variety. Then, of course, there is church. There’s the simple duty to attend church events, and there’s the more passionate call to serve in specific ministries.
Sometimes the situation brings us to a certain point of weariness that the old Nike motto “Just do it!” takes on a whole new meaning. For many, the words become nothing more than a feeble nudge to “get things over with.” The goal is just to get by. It matters not what quality of work is done as long as something is done.
The temptation to succumb to mediocrity is an ever-present reality to most people. Why bother with giving one’s best? Who cares about what is proper if one can get away with pwede na iyan (“that will do”). The truth is, God does care. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NLT).
The matter really goes beyond mere duty. It’s more about love and devotion, gratitude and delight. The God who gave his all for our sake deserves our all as well. And the one who loves the Lord will delight in serving the Lord, giving him the best that one can offer.
Let’s be real. It may be true that we may not always achieve excellence. And there even may be others who could do a better job than we can accomplish. But devotion to Christ and his service, and the pursuit of excellence in the name of Christ, will always bring glory to His name. I pray that when we, as a church and as individuals, engage in the tasks that God entrusts to us (in every area of life), it will be said of us: they always give their best to God.
—Keith Y. Jainga