December 28, 2020
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Hebrews 12:1–2
THE MALCOLM BALDRIGE National Quality Award was awarded many years ago to the iconic Ritz-Carlton Hotels.
THE MALCOLM BALDRIGE National Quality Award was awarded many years ago to
the iconic Ritz-Carlton Hotels. When I congratulated the owner of that
outstanding organization, he told me that they would need to work even
harder to earn the respect that comes with the prestigious honor. He also
mentioned that the award declares that quality is "a race with no finish
line."
He is correct. When working with the public, there is no time of day or
month on the calendar when it is okay to let up. Competitive excellence
requires 100 percent. If you doubt that, try maintaining excellence by
setting your standards at 95 percent. People start to figure they're doing
fine so long as they get somewhere near it. The erosion that follows is now
familiar to all who encounter incompetence on a regular basis.
Excellence gets reduced to acceptable. Before long, acceptable doesn't seem
worth the sweat if you can get by with adequate. And once you buy into
adequate, mediocrity is only a breath away. It is human nature to "just get
by." Either the standard is maintained at top-quality level, or you can
forget it.
To be honest, we can easily slip into a "just get by" mentality in our walk
with the Lord. But God desires so much more. Here's why I make that
statement:
Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of
faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin
that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has
set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith.
HEBREWS 12:1–2
Can you shave a few more seconds off your running time this next year by
removing those things that hinder you? What about that tendency to think
negative thoughts? Lay it aside. What about that stubborn sin you keep
giving in to repeatedly? Confess it. Accept God's mercy. And keep running.
All the while, keep your eyes on Jesus—He's not only right by your side
cheering you on—He's already at the finish line waiting with your medal!