Be The Best That You Can Be – Army Advertising Slogan
I listened yesterday to Luis’s sermon that he gave last Sunday, and I recommend that you take twenty minutes, go to www.stjohns-dc.org and listen to it. There is no way I can give it justice as he talked about not allowing the good to usurp our best. He ended with reminding us that with us God is well pleased, and God deserves our best response. As I listened I found myself humming the Army slogan we hear on a thousand commercials, and the words of Voltaire, “The best is the enemy of the good.”
Over my athletic life I must have heard a thousand admonitions by my coaches to “give my best,” or “leave it all on the field, court, or pool,” or reminders that the failure to do one’s best at that particular moment would haunt me for the rest of my days. Business leaders, politicians, and parents take these sports admonitions and use them to encourage their listeners to excel.
Luis and Voltaire add a new and fascinating twist when they compare good to the best. During Lenten season we examine and try to do as Luis suggests – offer our best to God, but how do we do that – spiritually, mentally, and physically. I go back to my sports analogies here. At the beginning of Lent, we examine what prevents us from giving and being our best. What do we need to change, modify, or tweak about our lives before we break out? A great athlete is often reminded by his/her coach to remember how being your best felt. What were you doing when you were at your best and try to recreate the swing, the shot, or the move. We have all had glimpses of the best we are, find them again this Lent and offer it up to God.
For example, my children when asked when was Dad his best, they are unanimous in saying when I was on the Supreme Court. Now I can’t go back on the Court, but I can examine what was it about myself during that time that made me my best. What do I need to change to recreate that part of who I really am? We all have those moments when we know we are hitting on all cylinders. We each are called to find that place in ourselves that once was there.
Think you’ve forgotten how to give your best? Remember these words from the movie, Legend of Bagger Vance.
“Yes you can… but you ain’t alone… I”m right here with ya… I’ve been here all along… Now play the game… Your game… The one that only you was meant to play… Then one that was given to you when you come into this world… You ready? … don’t hold nothin back give it everything… Now’s the time… Let yourself remember, remember your swing… Let go… Now is the time,…”
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