Over and over I hear people telling others to just be themselves. I’m not sure that is good advice. Maybe I am misinterpreting what that means but it seems like we are telling people to be content with who they are and not to strive to be someone better. Frankly I don’t want to be me. There is no challenge in being me. I’m already me. I want to be better. I want to be a better teacher, a better father, a better husband, a better grandfather. It is too easy to be me.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus challenges us to reach beyond what we are. He said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. Talk about reaching for the stars! That verse used to discourage me because I confused it with a requirement for salvation. I wanted to give up right then and there. But I was confused. This text is not about salvation. Salvation is a gift. This challenge is all about personal growth. This is about goal setting and being all that we can be. This is Jesus saying, “I will save you. Now, with your hand on the plow, don’t look back. Set your eyes on being the best ever you.”
If you are a carpenter, be the best carpenter ever. If you are a mechanic, a farmer, a secretary or a sales clerk, whatever you are, be the best ever. If you are, I promise you there will be some people who will hate you for it. Some people want everyone to be mediocre. Ignore those people because the rest of the world and heaven will rejoice in the new you.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 1, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org