There is a radio station broadcast from one of our local universities that I listen to occasionally. In the morning, the station plays classical music, and in the afternoons, the station programming focuses on jazz selections featuring old and new artists. The morning program that I listen to is named “Performance Today.” I don’t listen to this audiocast to revisit being in Music Appreciation, a required class in my college days, but I find the content to be very calming, Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I listen to the station that plays gospel and recorded church services, and sometimes I listen to two of my sons on air, one in Atlanta and one in Los Angeles. But I have to tell you that listening to the symphonic music serves as a peaceful supplement to what my eyes see of God’s wondrous creation as I travel to and from destinations, driving over the city streets.
Wednesday, “Performance Today,” diverted my thoughts from the music and directed them to think just how was I going to perform on that day, as a Christian. I asked myself questions, Would I perform below expectations? Would I meet the Lord’s expectations? Would I go above what any human could expect in terms of my performance as one of Christ’s disciples? I know, like everyone else, I might have some failings, but I am never a failure. However, I maintain that a “below expectation” performance for any day can be avoided with the help found in the word and the aid of the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
Well, Wednesday is gone, and I hope my performance was not viewed as unsatisfactory in the eyes of the Lord. Nevertheless, let’s make this performance talk specifically relevant to you. As you read this on meditation on this new day, Friday morning, know that it is your turn to stop and think how you are going to perform today. I’m confident that I am right when I say, “I know you will not perform below expectations, right?” I say that because you know exactly what to do in order to perform well in your “Performance Today!” But just in case you are scratching your head, let me remind you of what I have said before. You must strive for perfection and thus you will achieve excellence on your sanctification journey. Make sure to do that today, which includes tonight; Friday night, the night you “just got paid,” to be specific. Smile! Have a great day! Be blessed!
“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 NLT)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King