Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Devotion
I coach a high school girls soccer team. Yesterday we had voluntary weight lifting. In January. Our season doesn't start till August. And a whole group of girls came. I was so impressed with their commitment and effort. They are putting the work in. They aren't assuming that success will just be given to them, they know there is work to do to become the best soccer player they can be.
Then I read this verse this morning and I thought, hmmmm, similar :) It can be tempting to take faith for granted, and to think it's just about going to church and being a good person. But it's not. It's so much more.
Following Jesus is an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself. Jesus didn't call his disciples to just believe in him, but to follow him. This takes effort! It takes commitment. It takes sacrifice. "Do you best!"
Do you think of faith as just a set of beliefs that will get you into heaven? Or do you view faith as being part of God's worldwide mission to bring hope, healing, and redemption to all who will accept it? Seriously, do you know that you are on a mission? You have a calling from God?
And if you do know that - what are you doing about it? Are you training yourself? Are you strengthening your faith? Are you growing in your prayer life? Are you learning more in the Word? Are you listening to coaches (people older in the faith)?
I think this verse is a call to take it seriously. Not in a burdensome way, but in an exciting way. I wonder how God will use you when you give him your all?