Quality.

Why do we have a natural inclination to cut corners I wonder?
As a DIYer I try to find the easiest way to get a job done, but this is not always the correct/best way. My brother-in-law, however, learnt his DIY skills from friends in the trade and so he has a perfectionist edge to all his work.

“You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.” (2 Tim 4:3-5 MSG)

It is the last sentence that really stirred me: “Do a thorough job as God’s servant”.
When it comes to DIY my brother-in-law does a thorough job. In his last house he put in a shower in their downstairs toilet. In fact he completely redid the room. As a result when the estate agent came round he said that the bathroom was done to a much higher standard than any of the original features in the house! When doing the kitchen in his new house he even tiled behind the washing machine! Who would think to do that!!!! If that is not a thorough job I don’t know what is.

How do you keep your eyes on doing a thorough job in Christ? How do you keep the message alive in your life?
A thorough job puts as much effort into the things that are not seen as those that are; this is our witness. This is how people gauge the validity and attractiveness of the Gospel in which we trust; we may claim that it is life changing but is people don’t see a changed life in us then why should they accept it?

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Col 3:22-24 NLT)

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (Matt 5:43-48 MSG)

-Andrew Carey