"Do Your Best"

I don’t know how many times I’ve used the phrase, “Just do your best.” Typically, I’ve said it as a way to calm a child who is nervous before a big test or performance. I’ve said the same thing to encourage staff members. Recently, however, I’ve wondered if I should stop saying this. Consider the potential pitfalls with each of the words in this simple phrase:

• “Best” is a tricky word. Does it mean absolute best? Consider a student who is preparing for a test that requires a massive amount of memorization. She is capable of doing the memory work, but that would mean ignoring other assignments. What is “best” in this case? Making a high grade on the one test or overall academic results? Or for that matter, overall academic results versus a well-rounded life?
•  “Your” is intended to remove the pressure of comparison for the individual. And yet, they often hear “the” instead of “your.” And if they hear “Do the best,” it completely changes the meaning. In fact, as leaders and parents, we often weaken the “your” in the phrase. How? When results are received, we ask how others did. In other words, was “your” best as good as that of others?
• “Do” plays into the American work ethic. We allow ourselves to be defined by activity – by what we “do.” It is rarely enough to “be.” Of course, this tension plays out in many conversations about Christian faith when people stress a legalism over grace, “doing” good works versus “being” a child of God.

As I work with ministry leaders, I frequently see the problems that occur when “do your best” is misapplied. They’re constantly pressing to “do,” unable to rest in their identity in Christ. They compare themselves to others, forgetting that God’s unique call might not be to build something bigger and better than their peers. And “best” is defined around ministry, even if that means ignoring their family or letting their health slide. So how are you “doing”? It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>