"Good" Enough?

I spent last week adjudicating a competition. It was a lot of fun. I got to hear 5th-8th grade choirs, orchestras and bands from this and surrounding ISDs. I was really amazed at what these young kids were able to do with music, and how fearless they were. It was also interesting to see the psychology of it all--how a group truly took on the personality of its director. But that's all for another blog.

In this contest, we were encouraged to give the best ratings we could to encourage the kids. It wasn't hard...we heard some very good groups. But, I was looking at the ratings system:
I--Superior, II -- Excellent, III -- Good. III was the lowest rating--it was just "good".

This man-made rating system got me to thinking about the word "good", and how we totally misuse it in this society. We feel the need to self-inflate things--we aren't satisfied with being "good". We've always got to find a way to make "good" better. For instance, with graduates, you have Cum Laud, but that's only representative of those who have done "good" (well). So, we add "magna" and "summa" to provide further distinctions. Our ice cream has rim colors to distinguish it--"good" ice creama is brown. "silver" is even better (more expensive) and "gold" is the best (another way to charge us even more money). Even our gas has a ratings system: "regular" (good) isn't good enough for the more elite cars--so we've created "Premium" and "Super" and charged a higher price. Somehow, "good" has become associated with mediocrity or underachievement.

Yet, when our Father speaks "good", it is of the highest rank:

In Genesis 1:27, we are told how God created us in HIS image, and it is followed up in v. 31 with God looking upon EVERYTHING He created and calling it "very good".

In walking the Christian walk, we often talk about how we want to live a life that is worthy of Him, and how we long for the day when we meet Him in Heaven, and desire for Him to say about us as the master did in Matthew 25:21:
"'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

So, I began my search through Scripture on what was "good".

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good
Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 118 repeatedly says: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

The LORD is Good--I couldn't count the number of times that the LORD Himself is represented in Scripture as "good"--there's nothing mediocre about that!!! His love, and His mercy endure forever. He is Sovereign. He is perfect, all-knowing...the list goes on and on.

So, how do we attain this kind of "good"ness that exceeds any earthly rating? I found at least part of my answer in Titus 3:

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

First of all, I just have to clarify that we are only "good"/justified because of God's grace and mercy--not by anything we've done (as this passage clearly states). Having clarified that, living the life of a Christian follower and being "good" isn't easy. It requires much discipline...consistency, faith, patience, humility...all of those things contrary to earthly success. But I don't want an earthly "superior" rating. I want to be "good"--in the image of my Father in Heaven. That's a much higher prize with a much more difficult road, but I am committed to the challenge. I want to run the race, like Paul said, to receive the highest prize. Or as Jesus said in Matthew, I want my light to shine so that people may see my GOOD deeds, and thus no longer see me, but give praise to my Father in Heaven.

Lord, in this world where everyone is trying to run the rat race of life, help us to run the real race and keep our eyes fixed on the real prize. Help us to set our sights high--living good lives and being good and faithful servants. Help others to see our good deeds and have no choice but to give praise to You. Help us to collectively be "excellent" because each of us was devoted to doing Your good. I love You, Lord.