Standing Firm in the Gospel: Anything Worth Doing

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people. Ephesians 6:7

 You may have heard the quote, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” I'm not sure who said it originally, neither is the internet, but most all of us have come across it at one point or another. Depending on your perspective, this quote could be encouraging, convicting, or down right annoying!

 These words fit in well with my approach to life. I've never been one to do things half way, I'm an all or nothing person. As I've gotten older, this has changed up a bit in that I now have to prioritize what I do since I have less and less energy to do it with. Still, though, if I'm going to do something, I'm going to give it my best effort. And that includes things that only God will ever see or notice. When I make the bed each day, I often notice that the sheets are coming untucked at the bottom. I could just straighten the blankets and call it good enough – my husband probably wouldn't even mind – but I would know the difference. Instead, when I make the bed, I do a job I can be proud of, a job I would do for God, not just for me.

 In talking with some of my loved ones I've learned that my way isn't the only way out there though. It seems fairly common to show up to work and contribute the bare minimum expected of your position. Some people even seem to pride themselves on this as they, “stick it to the man.” I just don't get it though. How can you be proud of your work, of what you've accomplished, if you don't do your best?

 There's a third take on this saying, one I hadn't considered until today when I read this article. For some, the idea of doing their best can lead to perfectionism. They can become paralyzed by the pressure to do something faultlessly and end up not doing it at all. For them, I recommend the alternative quote G.K. Chesterton shared, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” Something most often is better than nothing and I strongly believe that doing your best and doing things perfectly are very different. God didn't entreat us to sing in perfect 3- part harmony, He told us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (this is stated many times in the ESV, but I especially like Psalm 98:4). God calls us to do our best, to give it our all, to try – really try.

Here's the Thing: In today's verse we are encouraged to demonstrate effort, to truly try. I'm certain that I enjoy and feel better about things I've approached with this heart. If it hasn't been your thing in the past, maybe it's time to give it a shot!