The Lament of an Achiever

“I am tired of being capable! I want to join the lackluster performers, underachievers, apathetic airheads, and halfwits. OK, I like being capable, but I could really use some help! I am tired of doing it all on my own!” This was a post on Facebook by a friend. As I read it I wondered what the back story was. Who failed? What tasks were dumped on him that were not his responsibility? I also smiled because I know he is an amazingly talented man who would not tolerate mediocrity in his own life.

Are you a high performing, hard working person who does the best you can do day after day? Then, I know you have had at least a moment when you felt the same kind of emotions that my friend expressed.  Capable people attract responsibilities like a magnet draws iron filing. “If you want the job done, give it to the busiest person.” says the proverb. Excellence is a taskmaster, as well. Why? Because the better work you produce, the higher that you raise the standard, the more others will expect of you. Try being a stand-out performer in your place of employment and the critics will tell you to stop because you’re now making them look bad by comparison.

Looking for a reward? Sometimes diligence is recognized, but often it goes unnoticed as others take the credit or even fail to see what has been done. A job well done, for the conscientious person, is its own reward. Remember, too, that those around you will be much more likely to point out your flaws than praise your successes. While it may not be fair, a single lapse in judgment can (and often does) erase a lifetime of accomplishments.

Did you know that God cares about the quality and manner of your work? Many misunderstand the nature of the world, attempting to place some things in the realm of the secular, others in the realm of the spiritual. They are certain that the Lord cares about family, about acts of worship, but they mistakenly conclude that He is not part of their enterprise, their work. The Scripture says that Christians do what they do, in every part of life, bearing Christ’s Name. Therefore, "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

Here’s a word from Jesus. Think about the implications for your management of life, your work performance, your financial responsibility and how those things are connected to your spiritual health. The conclusion may surprise you. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?" (Luke 16:10-11, NLT)