Snapshots
Biblical Truth
OF
Just Good Enough
BIBLE REFERENCES:
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV) “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. ..…. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Matthew 5:46-48 (NIV) “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Romans 12:1, 2 (NIV) “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (NIV) “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ….. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
APPLICATION:
The “good enough” mind set seems to be alive and well in our culture today. The thought of doing something extra on the job or going out of one’s way to help a stranger doesn't seem to be the norm. “What’s in it for me?” seems to be the overriding consideration. Looking out for number one is at the top of the list.
Nothing bugs me more than to see someone do a “half baked” job; just putting in enough effort to get the job done - nothing more, nothing extra. As a kid I was taught to give my best effort at whatever I put my mind and back to. A mediocre or even an average job was not good enough.
The “good enough” mentality can creep into our spiritual lives as well. “Well, I go to church occasionally, that’s good enough.” “I read my Bible once in a while, that’s good enough.” “I pray whenever I need help, that’s good enough.”
Years ago I saw this sign that really stuck with me. The sign read: “If you want to soar with the eagles don’t spend all your time hanging around turkeys”. The message is clear: if you want to soar to excellence you need to think excellent thoughts and have a loftier mind set and goal. You won’t get this by hanging with the “good enough” crowd.
Find out what pleases the Lord, and then do it with all you have. This, God will bless.
 | ||||
A PRAYER:
“God, help me to shed that ‘good enough’ mentality. Give me a passion to do my very best in all that you give me to do.”
SNAPSHOT:
