DO IT WITH YOUR MIGHT

Memorizing Scripture was a significant part of my life. The Awana program required lots of memorization. Our church had its own thrust for learning verses, and often, the rewards were amazing! I recall my intense enthusiasm to learn many chapters in order to decrease the cost of a week at camp!

There are, however, a set of verses that are indelibly written in my heart, never to be forgotten. They are “choice” verses that my mother required me to learn as part of our before-school devotions when I was in elementary school. Each one became increasingly meaningful to me during my life. I’m sure her choice came from her own personal relationship with the Lord.

One, in particular, undoubtedly played a large part in the development of my character. “Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might.” Looking back, I can see clearly that this word from God took root in my life, and it emphatically moved me into the direction of striving for excellence in my ventures.

Do you have a Sunday School class? Do you just squeak by? Or do you throw yourself into the ministry and into the lives of the kids? Life is hard and life is busy, but what is your level of commitment to this task? Is it something you do with your might, or is it a obligation of yawning and last minute scratching around? Ed Kimball, Dwight L. Moody’s Sunday School teacher, made a special trip to the shoe store where Moody worked to make an impact on him. Who is in your class?

Are you the choir director? Are your practices ineffective because your planning was “last minute?” Did you set aside time each day to prepare so that you could go to practice knowing the music, having something relevant to say, and able to direct with confidence? If you signed on, then you should “do it with your might.”

Whatever you do, do it with your might. Be a husband “with all your might.” Or be a wife and give it all you’ve got. Prepare the meal for the church banquet “with all your might.” Play basketball with “all your might.” If you paint, do it right, do it with enthusiasm. Do you play the piano? Practice with your whole heart. Stick to it. Work hard. Be successful, not necessarily at being a concert pianist, but at being a music lover and at discipline.

The Army says: Be all that you can be. We are soldiers in the greatest army ever to exist. Yes, truly. The Bible calls us soldiers. For the sake of the kingdom, for the sake of the testimony of Christ, and for our own personal satisfaction, we need to seize their slogan! God is not ambiguous about His requirement that we give Him the best we have, not second best, not half heartedness.

Preach with all your might! Sew with all your might! Sing with all your might! Study with all your might! Parent with all your might! Practice with all your might! It’s not the word of a psychologist…it is the instruction of God!