What Guides You to Try Your Best?

Last weekend, our daughter’s school choir performed at a music contest.

The kids worked hard. They practiced for months before the competition. Some students performed solos while others performed in larger groups.

Our daughter was one of the altos in a sextet.

As well as practicing with her school choir as a whole, she’d spent additional time after school practicing with her group of six. On days she’d rather come home and veg, she stayed to hone her skill and perfect her craft.

Eventually, she knew her songs backward and forward. Her confidence blossomed. Her daddy and I congratulated her for persevering.

“You’re going to do great,” we told her. “We’re proud of you.”

A few days before their group was to sing, however, our daughter voiced concern.

“I’m just not sure we’re ready. I mean… I think we are.”

We again tried to reassure her. “The six of you have practiced, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve put forth your best effort, right?”

“Mama, you know I have. We all have.”

Her dad jumped in. “Well, then that’s what matters. The judges will recognize that. Don’t worry. Just have fun.”

Of course, telling a high school kid to “just have fun” before any kind of competition is a little like saying, “Never mind that little ‘ol score. It’s all relative.” Which it is… relatively speaking. 🙂

Like anything that’s measured against others’ performances, often, talent (skill) speaks for itself. Then again—sometimes, it’s subjective. Meaning, judges’ preferences are different and that can influence overall scores.

In music, though, you either hit the notes or you don’t. You either have a great performance or an average one.

What, then, guides folks to try their best? Well, obviously, that varies from person to person.

Some may want the medal, the acclaim, or the recognition that comes from giving it their all.

For others, it’s even more personal than that. It’s an intrinsic desire to prove he has what it takes (to succeed) and come out on top. To overcome obstacles or circumstances and go for broke. To meet and, perhaps, surpass his own expectations.

To go a bit deeper, we’re guided by our convictions. Our principles. Our core values.

For those of us who are Christians, our guiding force isn’t just a what—it’s who.

GOD.

We’re not content to sit on the sidelines and watch the world go by. We believe we’re created for a purpose and guided by One who has our best interest at heart.

We want to be our best because that makes sense.

When we’re guided by a grander vision, we’re propelled forward by a force greater than our own. We leave what ifs in the dust and hop on for the ride.

It doesn’t mean we’re not scared sometimes or worried about defeat.