Our Best

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,

do it with thy might; for there is no

work, nor device, nor knowledge,

nor wisdom, in the grave,

whither thou goest.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

And whatsoever ye do, do it

heartily, as to the Lord, and

not unto men.

Colossians 3:23

Thanks to my Mother, church life has been my life almost from my first remembrances.  I said my Christmas “pieces” when very small. I was in Vacation Bible Schools since being old enough to attend them and not just at my own church. Neighborhood kids made it a summer activity to attend each others Vacation Bible Schools. When in junior high school, I began singing in the church choir which led to my being church pianist and then church organist. I taught in summer VBS's when in high school and during that time served as a camp counselor for junior age girls during the summer. I don't write this list as a bragging thing. Perhaps it was the general climate of the times, but one never thought of doing a second rate job at anything. I saw in my Daddy an honest mechanic who took pride in fixing a car, watching a customer drive away in a happy, purring vehicle .   Many times he had paid for the parts needed for repair out of his own pocket.  People paid attention to details, taking pride in jobs well done. The work ethic in general was just different then and it passed down from one generation to another. Hard work done well was something that was most often  “caught, not taught.” One learned a strong work ethic from those adults in his or her own life. Thus, no matter my church activity at the time, I wanted to do it well. I learned from a dear lady that doing God's work well pleased Him.

So what's happened? I know society has changed in many ways. Anyone with half a brain in their head can tell that. We now purchase products that are in many cases faulty when we pay for them, and yes we do pay for them believe it or not. Car companies knowingly build cars with built in problems that show up a little later that requires your return to a dealership for repair....ever had a problem with that magical yellow light that lights up to let you know you have an engine problem when you really don't? We've settled for junk we get from overseas, sometimes that we've been told can even poison our children.

I, like most, have learned to live and yes, groan with many of these things. However, there is an area of my life and yours we've come to take a lax attitude regarding and that has to do with our church life. I'm so weary of folks holding church positions who want them for recognition only. They have no intention of giving their all in doing a good job for the sake of the church or as an example before others, let alone for the Lord. I realize our busyness and yes, lagging work ethic has greatly affected even church life, but doesn't our Lord deserve so much more from us than He is receiving?

Several years ago, I was with a church choir in a small church warming up prior to the first Sunday morning service. A man came running into the room desperately looking for a Sunday school teachers book that he would need to teach the mornings Sunday school lesson after that first service. I know of Sunday school teachers who read their lessons to their classes from the same materials the students hold in their hands. I've been approached by soloists five minutes before a church service to rehearse with them their solo of the morning. I've heard more offertories played in services that were obviously unrehearsed. Nursery workers at times think nothing of showing up late for their responsibilities while parents wait with little ones in a hallway waiting for child care which in turn makes those parents late for their responsibilities. Choir members don't show up for choir rehearsals or show up only on Sunday morning (and sometimes late at that) to sit, smile and look good from the choir loft.

You might ask, “Glendarae, who are you mad at?” I can't say I'm mad at any particular person. I realize God can take perfectly good care of Himself and doesn't need my defense, but I am weary of what we hand to him in the way of slip-shod offerings of service. All one has to do is look into the Old Testament and what was required of sacrifices and offerings that were to be given to God. The commands and expectations of sacrifices the people offered to God in light of what we present to Him would never fly today. The animals sacrificed had to be as perfect as any animal could be. Only the very best was offered to God and it's a good thing because He accepted nothing less. I realize we are now past that kind of service and do not live under the Old Testament Laws... that we live by the grace of God. However, why shouldn't we still love God so much that we would never want to offer Him anything but the very best we can give.

I went on a hunt for an old hymn that I can remember singing in my home church where I grew up. I have several hymn books here in my home but found the hymn only in a hymn book printed in 1933. I realize there are lots of hymn books and know there are ones in several churches containing this hymn, but I doubt it will be found in many modern hymn books. The title of the hymn is “Our Best”...the words from it are wonderful:

Hear ye the Master's call, “Give Me thy best!”

For, be it great or small, that is His test.

Do then the best you can, not for reward,

Not for the praise of man, but for the Lord.

Wait not for men to laud, heed not their slight;

Winning the smile of God brings its delight!

Aiding the good and true, ne'er goes unblest,

All that we think or do, be it the best.

Night soon comes on apace, day hastens by;

Workman and work must face testing on high.

Oh, may we in that day, find rest, sweet rest,

Which God has promised those who do their best.

Chorus:

Every work for Jesus will be blest,

But He asks from everyone his best.

Our talents may be few, these may be small,

But unto Him is due our best, our all.

How deep does our love and devotion for God run? He gave His Son, Jesus to die a horrible death on a cross for each of us. Jesus was God's perfect sacrifice so why can't we aim for perfection in our service for Him? Whatever we have been called to do, may we always give God “our best.”

Dear Father...So often I have been guilty of giving You the leftovers of my time, money and talents. I have often served You if there isn't anything else to do or if I have time to give. I marvel at Your patience with me when at times I haven't made You THE priority in my life. May my life reflect that there is no one in my life more important than You. Thank You for the perfect sacrifice of Your Son. Because of that perfect sacrifice, I have a relationship with You and life eternal. I love You and want You to have my best. Amen