My dad used to always encourage me to do my best.  He would say, “Son, if you are playing a basketball game and you don’t leave the game with at least three fouls, you probably didn’t play hard enough.  You probably didn’t push yourself and take enough chances.  You can’t always be the best, but you can always do your best.”  When I think of the level of effort he was describing, I think of Paul’s words in Colossians 3:23 where Paul wrote to the church, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.”

Paul was encouraging followers of Christ to always do their best.  And why wouldn’t we do our best?  After all, we have received the best!  We have received the love, the mercy and the grace of God.  We know of His goodness, His kindness and His provision.  We have received the best and we should offer our best in every task, every relationship and in the midst of every circumstance.  Certainly, we will make some mistakes and we will have our “fouls” along the way, but that does not mean we should not try hard, push ourselves and offer our best in everything and every situation. As followers of Christ, we are to represent the Lord and we do not want to provide a poor or inaccurate representation.  I pray that you will be strengthened and encouraged by the Lord this week.  I pray that you will let Him help you offer your best in all that you do.