But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

TUESDAY MORNING, TARBORO: It’s 10:00 in the morning and I have just returned from the most excellent combination of Men’s Bible Study followed by breakfast with a few of the guys. The unbeatable combination of ham, eggs, grits, toast, coffee, fellowship and the Word of God.

I am excited about the next couple of months with this group. Between now and Easter, we are going to navigate our conversation around the general theme of “Upping our Game” as Christian men.

I have stolen the “upping our game” phrase from my February trip to Ohio, where I will be spending the weekend with folk who attend the First Christian Churches of Wadsworth and Medina.

Why “Up our Game”?

It’s an ambitious title, and begs the question, “Why?” I hope that will be revealed as we consider scripture and stories that illustrate what I have in mind, but for today here is how I closed our morning study, a story from when we lived in Pensacola.

Rebekah worked as the associate pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church. One year the senior pastor, Frank, was notified he was the recipient of a prestigious “Citizen of the Year” award, to be presented at a huge annual banquet sponsored by The United Way. Frank was excited.

However, a few days before the banquet he came into Rebekah’s office with a copy of the citation that was going to be read at the presentation. “I can’t accept this!” he said; “I’m going to call the president and tell him I won’t be there.”

“Why not?” Rebekah responded.

“Listen to this,” Frank said. And he read the citation. “This is all your work. Everything on this list are achievements you made happen.”

“Thanks,” she replied. “But you had better show up to receive this. No, it’s not your award. But it’s not mine, either. This is what Trinity Presbyterian Church is up to in this community. This award is for one thing only, it’s for the glory of God. Enjoy your chicken dinner, accept the plaque, and then make sure everyone understands that this is all because we love and serve Jesus, through the ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church!”

I believe that we are called to “up our game”, to excellence in all things. Jesus told his disciples that, essentially, “I’m leaving this work in your hands. And I expect nothing but the best!”

Mediocrity is not God’s way. We were not created to do anything less than to reflect the glory of God in who we are and what we are up to.

In love, and because love – always – shows us a more excellent way.

Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:31