Utmost or Almost?

Lance Armstrong is one of the best cyclists of all time. As a seven time winner of the Tour de France, his accomplishments speak for themselves. However, if you read his story about his struggle with cancer and realize that he won all seven of these victories after this battle, you really begin to understand the significance of this accomplishment.

I sometimes think I would like to win a cycling event like the Tour de France. I can see myself being the top rider, wearing the yellow jersey, and ending up earning the most coveted biking trophy in the world. There's only one problem. I almost never get on a bike. My training regiment consists of riding a bike with my girls 5-10 times a year for an average distance of two blocks. Can you imagine what my results would be if I tried to represent the United States in the Tour de France? Can anyone say embarrassment?

So what's the big difference between Lance and I? We both know about and want to win the greatest race in cycling. Isn't that enough? No, it takes more to properly represent in a race of this level. You see, Lance has given his utmost to make sure that he always represents the U.S. to the best of his ability. On the other hand, I've only given at best my almost to this dream.

I wonder if it's the same for my spiritual life? I've been reading "My Utmost For His Highest" as part of my devotions this year. In the very first part of the book, Oswald Chambers refers to Philippians 1:20. In this verse, Paul says "My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest— my best for His glory." He says very clearly that he expects as a representative of God to give his utmost so that Christ will be glorified even to the point of his death.

So here I am . I know about God and want to represent him in this spiritual race so that he is glorified in my life. The question is whether I'm willing to give my utmost for this race by totally submitting to him or whether I will settle for giving my almost? I wonder what the spiritual results will be when I reach the finish line. Will I hear "Good & Faithful "or "Total Embarrassment"?

How about you? Utmost or Almost?