“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”
(Will Durant)
Connie and Consuela, identical twin sisters who attend a local school were scheduled to take an important test last week. However, because of school closings due to weather, the test was not given as scheduled, but was delayed until yesterday, Monday. Both girls had studied and were prepared for the test last week. They were both really ready, initially. But this weekend, fully aware of the fact that on Monday they would have to be ready to excel, only Connie continued to study, not assuming she would do extremely well on the test because of her earlier prep. Her habit was to keep studying until the test was actually administered. Consuela, just as smart as her sister, did not do the same. Weekends, for her, were for games, going out, and getting away from the books. Studying more, ensuring she would excel on the test, not just counting on her prior study, none of that agreed with Consuela’s weekend habit. Just as a side note, not even identical twins have identical habits. The teacher announced that she would return the tests, graded today. I can’t help but wonder how they did on the exam. Would the quote above apply to Connie and result in her getting an excellent grade? Would Consuela’s weekend habit have a bearing on her grade? They may not tell me, but time will tell. Yet, if I had to guess, I would say that Connie received a grade that reflected excellence, and Consuela, bless her soul, she did not.
How does the story about Connie and Consuela concern you? I’m glad you asked! Every single day, we should demonstrate our faith in God, and we should also portray, by our behavior, that we are children of the one and only true and living God, and we should be seen as faithful disciples of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Let’s put it this way: “We will be put to the test daily!” The question for you and me, “How well will we do?” Have we been like Consuela and let our habits hurt or halt our progressive progress toward being better, being excellent witnesses for the Lord? Or have we been like Connie and continually prepared for our tests by daily praying, definitely studying the word of God, and displaying increased power in the area of serving others? Realizing we are blessed every single day we wake up, are we prepared for the test of blessing others, especially since we know that when we are blessed, we should be a blessing?
I will not know the answer to the questions that I just posed, as it relates to you. I can only look at myself. For only myself, and the Lord who knows and sees everything, will know how I did on my tests yesterday, today, and all my tomorrows. Yet, I can hope and pray that we all reach excellence by doing what Jesus told us to do in the verse below, pursue perfection! That’s the challenge! Let’s get to it! Be blessed!
“You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 The Amplified Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King