P E R F O R M A N C E

Mark 4:24-25

How do you measure an athlete’s performance?  What is your standard of measure for a player’s effort?  How do you gauge a competitor’s commitment, loyalty or teamwork?  Jesus had some sobering comments related to measuring such concepts.

Mark recorded these words of Jesus at chapter 4 and verses 24 and 25, “Consider carefully what you hear.’ He continued.  ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Jesus seemed to be more concerned with faithfulness than fairness.  Fairness would have everyone receive and have the same amount of everything.  Jesus rewards those who are faithful with whatever they have.  They receive even more, while those who are unfaithful squander even what they have.

We’ve all seen this in athletes with whom we’ve competed.  The faithful competitor demands the same level of commitment that he gives.  He gives the same measure of loyalty that he asks of his teammates.  He shows the same kind of teamwork that he expects of his teammates.  For the unfaithful, sadly, the principle is still true.  They neither give nor receive sufficiently.

As you compete today, you can expect great commitment and teamwork from your teammates, if you have shown the same every day in practice.  You can expect great loyalty and effort, if you have given them greatly all through the season.  Give your absolute best effort today and watch your teammates reciprocate.

Bible Reading Plan:

Matthew 27:57-66

Romans 15:1-33

Psalms 69:19-36

Deuteronomy 29-31