The first thing we need to work out for ourselves is whether what we are doing, is necessary. It is far more important to do the right things, than to do things right. Because, even when we mess up a little at doing the right things, at least our heart is in the right place and our intentions are good. Making a few mistakes along the way is absolutely fine, as long as we are trying our best in the process.
A 20 year old student from the USA was in Uganda as part of a practical component of her degree. There she witnessed the difficulty that some orphans were experiencing and immediately felt that she needed to do something. She found real perspective and purpose in a place that she would never have visited if it were her choice. That’s where she decided to do what was right and what would make a difference. She didn’t really know what she was doing, but she did something. And she did it as well as she knew how.
Once we have distinguished between simply being busy, and making a real difference, we need to pursue our vision with passion and purpose. That is when we will do the things that will make a difference, and we will do them to the best of our ability. It doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes. Of course we will. But making mistakes while doing something worthwhile, is far better than doing something perfectly well, that makes no real difference.
The world has become a place of selfishness and arrogance. Let’s just take COVID as an example. For the past few decades, more than 20 000 people have been dying of hunger every single day. Nobody bats an eyelid about that because it doesn’t really affect our day to day living. As long as we have food, then it doesn’t matter, right? But as soon as COVID comes onto the scene, everything changes. Why? Because it could affect our daily lives. Even though the death rate is far lower, the panic is far higher. When we do the right things and we do them well, it might raise a few eyebrows. When we do things to help others instead of following the crowd and focusing on ourselves, it will seem crazy. But what we are dong is not to impress others. We don’t need to listen to every barking dog. It’s between me and God. It’s about doing what I know is my calling and is making the world a better place. And the best way I can do it, is doing it well!
There’s no good in saying we are doing our best, when our best efforts are going into selfish and unnecessary things.
Have a fantastic day!
Mark Davidson
