the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Daily Devotionals
Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
James Garner, as Bret Maverick on the long running TV western, used to make the comment, "My old pappy used to say..." Evidently his old pappy was full of pithy sayings and folksy wisdom that stuck with his son as he went through life. Well, I was blessed with a very wise old pappy of my own, and a lot of what he said has stuck with me over the years.
One of the things he told me has been a constant thought with me since my days as a teenager. "Whatever you do, if it's worth doing, do it the best you can." Every song I sing, every person I visit, every relationship I enter into, every sermon I preach, every publication I put out, every round of golf I play, every hug I give; I want it to be my best.
Some people have been disturbed by that attitude. On the golf course I have been called competitive. At times I have been accused of showing off when I sing. Other things I have done have been called attempts to make others look like they're not as good. Gary Porter of Christian Children's Homes of Ohio made an interesting comment when someone remarked that a house he had built for the home was nicer than what they lived in. "I'm sorry," he said, "I don't know how to build a rundown house."
I guess I don't know how to intentionally do something poorly. Either I do it to the best of my ability or I don't do it period. Sadly, in the kingdom of God, I don't see my Dad's concept being put to use that often. I see people in the kingdom whose only function is to complain. Other than that they do relatively little for God than show up for a service. A lot of golfers I know are like that. They complain and excuse themselves from fault, but they never do anything to improve their performance on the course.
"Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22 If you are not a doer there is something you can do. Be an encourager to those who are doing. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Ephesians 4:29 If you are a doer, don't be satisfied with just getting something done. Do it to the best ability you have. Your Father deserves that.
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' Copyright 2010 © Tom Kelley. 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to https://www.studylight.org/ 2) 'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
