“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” (2 Corinthians 9:24 NASB)
S.L. Parker, in a book he authored in 2005, entitled “212: The Extra Degree,” wrote, “At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils. And with boiling water, comes steam, and with steam, you can power a train.” Undoubtedly, this is a motivational statement that has the intent of moving us to take another step, to keep pursuing the giving of our best effort, and to not only “talk the talk,” but to “walk the walk.”
Just as football teams, big organizations, and small business entrepreneurships can be motivated by the author’s quote above, so can we as believers. We can always put forth more effort in our work, in our witnessing, in our waiting patiently on the Lord, in our winning disposition to pursue all things with the conviction that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” We can always put forth more effort in our willingness to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Without any exception whatsoever, all of us, including you and me, we can turn it up a degree. Actually, “better” is always just one degree ahead. Think about that for a minute.
Now, if the literary terms by S.L. Parker, and the words written by the Apostle Paul do not resonate with you this morning and inspire you to pursue some improvement in one area of your Christian living by just one degree today, and one degree tomorrow, let me challenge you with a slang word, “turnt.” Let’s get “turnt!” Let us think of this slang word, not in terms of drugs or partying, but think of it as it relates to its broader meaning, “getting excited.”
There are various aspects of Christian living, and only you know the area where you need to get “turnt.” Only you know where you need to turn it up a degree. Get “turnt” about Jesus! Or perhaps, you need to get more excited about the study of the word of God, the scriptures that are always profitable. Perhaps you need to get “turnt” in being doers of the word. Perhaps it is in the area of prayer. Still, it could be in your treating others as you would like to be treated. Perhaps it is showing love for others, not letting our political labels or fraternal and sorority affiliations prevent us from interacting with people who do not share the same views. Still, it may be in realizing that the kingdom of God is made up of diverse peoples throughout the world. Churches should look like a colorful, patched quilt. Heaven will have people from all over the world. Why not turn it up a degree, get “turnt” and change our soul-winning efforts to include people, whether they are red, yellow, bloc, brown, or white? There are many examples where we can turn it up just on degree. Agree?
We can turn it up a degree, in our worship service, stop withholding our vocal praise, start being more notably excited, not for show, but for showing that the Lord has been mighty good to us in multiple ways! We need to get “turnt” when we realize that in our worship services, God has sent a word, specifically for us from a personal perspective!
If we turn it up just a degree in living by our faith, the power that we show, it will demonstrate that we can be found doing what we should do, seen not doing what we should not do, and observed as those who trust God to do the impossible that some think we cannot do. Nothing is impossible with God.
So, as you got into the weekend, turn it up just one a degree, from a spiritual aspect. Don’t yield to any temptation to get “turnt” from a worldly way. No! No! No! If 212 degrees can move a train, than with your figurative 212 degrees of demonstrated faith, you can move mountains. Just turn it up just one degree. Think on these words my friend. Be blessed!
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. My friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” (Philippians 3:12-16 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King