We were given a scripture a year ago that we are the light from the city on a hill. It is the perpetuation of a word that directs us as to who we are. I Thessalonians 4:1-2 notes "…that you may excel still more." The Thessalonians were walking with Jesus, and were doing it well, but Paul had to exhort them to "excel still more." We need to extend ourselves beyond our normal efforts in becoming more like Jesus. Chapter 4, verse 1 & 2: we are doing very well.
New football movie about Steve Gleason, who played with total abandonment. He had two kinds of glory: a blocked punt that had taken the roof off the Super Dome, That changed the whole city's attitude. The second glory: he we was diagnosed with ALS Lou Gehrig's disease and he retired in shock. His wife became pregnant and he had to embrace a new person in his life as he was dyeing. He decided to film the remainder of his life for his new child. He made a decision to tackle the disease by excelling still more. Made him think about all the others who had ALS disease. He was able to get changes in Medicare to allow for others to receive the communication system he was using. This was raw humanity, trying to love, how to absorb the pain, and how to survive day to day.
We are built upon the good and positive things out of the Word of God, but how do we out do our selves, being constantly aware of our own limitations? We are not blocked from our own pain or limitations. Paul wrote "Continue Still More" stretching yourselves beyond your limitations. This action is personal; a heart issue. God wants more people to be saved, but it is our heart's choice. Our heart will take us above meritocracy. It's between us and God. Ecclesiastes 12:14 is about going up and beyond the minimum requirements. Matt 5:14-16 Build on the good that we have already done. Continue to press on toward the goal, not looking at our past.
