July 15, 2022

Reflections – Good versus Great

Have you ever compared good versus great?

As we go through life, I am struck by how often settling for what is “good” gets in the way of what is “great”. For example, as couples settle into marriage they sometimes lose the spark that comes from spending quality time with one another. They fill their lives with “good” things like focusing on work, doing house repairs, taking care of the kids, planning the family’s finances, etc. But along the way they one day realize the “spark” has gone out of their relationship.

The remedy is to spend more intentional time together, i.e. make dating a lifetime endeavor. It doesn’t end at the altar! All those other things are “good”, but the relationship is what can make the marriage really “great”.

Mary and Martha

Good versus great is illustrated in the gospel of Luke. At the end of chapter 10 in the gospel of Luke Jesus has an experience with Mary and Martha. Martha scurried about doing “good” things like cooking and making the guests welcome while Mary simply sat at Jesus’ feet and learned from him. Jesus explained that while Martha was doing “good” things, Mary had chosen the better way. “Good” got in the way of “great”!

At times we find ourselves confronted with the choice between doing something good versus something else that may be intensely more difficult or distasteful but is in fact “God’s will”. Jesus didn’t want to die on a cross. He could have just continued doing the good work of teaching. But he wanted to do God’s will more and therefore went on to be crucified. “Thy will be done.” Jesus did a “great” thing even though he had plenty of “good” options. Do we ever find ourselves in situations like that?

What Are You Settling For?

So, this week, let us be aware of what we are choosing. Do we settle for the “good” or is there another option that could be called “great”?

Blessings and peace,

Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org

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