By: Jalisa Hinkle
The theme for the month of March is " If anything is excellent... think about such things." What is excellent? Can you think of anything that you would call excellent? When we describe things, "excellent" is not a word that you hear very often (especially when describing our actions.) We should all strive for excellence and use our talents to the best of our abilities. Reverend Randall R. McBride said, "Success will not lower its standard to us. We must raise our standard to success." We can know that when we do use our talents we can reach success. A great example of excellence is Jesse Owens, who is known for his participation in track and field. Before his trip to the Olympics, Jesse Owens, while injured, broke three world records and tied another one in a Big Ten Track and Field Championship. He also accomplished this in just 45 minutes. Yet he is mostly known for his involvement in the 1936 Olympics. The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin and Hitler saw them as an opportunity to prove to the world that his race was superior. Hitler also mocked America for letting black athletes participate. Despite all of the negative criticism and discrimination, Owens went out and gave it his all. He left the Olympics with four gold medals in the 100 meter dash (10.3 seconds), long jump (26 feet 5.5 inches), 200 meter dash ( 20.7 seconds) and 400 meter relay (39.8 seconds.) Even after all of these accomplishments Owens still went home and worked hard to support his family. After all of the great things he'd done, he didn't stop.
We all should all try to achieve excellence. It isn't something that comes easily but when we do strive for excellence we should feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that we are using the gifts God has given us to the best of our ability. Most of the time it's easier to just do what is required of us and not put in the extra effort, but that is wasting our abilities. Exodus 31:3 says, "and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-." When we have talents and we don't use them or act lazy we are disappointing God. He wants us to praise Him by using all of the talents He has given us.
Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us all another day. Help us to strive for excellence and to go past what is expected of us, so that in using our gifts we may please you.
Amen |
