College football is a popular sport. With its popularity comes quite a bit of national attention for coaches and players. This attention usually takes the form of interviews before and after the games. I have noticed recently how much coaches, players and analysts discuss improvement.
They talk about focus, attitude, execution, etc,—all gauges of improvement. This is not just empty talk, however, because some of those same people have plans in mind for the immediate future. Then, they come back later and assess their progress in improvement Not only do athletes and athletic teams deal with improvement, but Christians do so as well. Of course, we normally think of it in terms of spiritual growth. Peter wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV). Our desired improvement may be framed in terms of worship, Bible knowledge, teaching skills, overcoming temptation to sin and personal relationships.
This desire for improvement is good for us, and we should nourish that desire in a healthy way. While we may never be sinless or as spiritually mature as we would like, we can grow. In this process, the following questions should be asked and pondered by each of us:
• Do I actively seek to improve?
• Do I have a plan for improvement?
• Do I pay the price of improvement: sacrifice?
• Do I seek God’s help in improvement?
• Do I learn from my losses?
• Do I seek advice/input from others as to how to improve?
• Do I encourage improvement in others?
• Do I recognize improvement in others?
• Do I regularly assess my improvement?
Let us humbly seek to improve all our efforts as we live for Christ.
