The Desire to Impress?

I want you to think of two different scenarios in regards to performing a kata. First, I want you to imagine you are practicing your kata alone. How well did you perform it? Did you execute every move with precision, or did you only use half of your energy and “walked through” it? Now I want you to imagine doing your kata while your instructor is there. I bet there was a big difference in how you performed your kata. When I perform my kata in front of an instructor, I put all of my power into it and my technique is as sharp as a sword. Believe me, I think it is important to give it your all in front of your superiors. However, how much potential are you losing if you are only giving 100% when performing in front of those superiors? If you truly want to better yourself as a martial artist, you need to perform for yourself. You need to take all the energy that you use to perform katas at tournaments, in front of your instructors, or at special events, and apply it to practicing on your own. You will receive more benefits in your career as a martial artist.

It is the same in your spiritual life. There are so many people in your life that you want to impress. For instance, you may want to impress parents, friends, teachers, and important role models. It is a great feeling to impress and accomplish goals and jobs for them. However, what do you get out of it? It is nice to receive money, hugs, handshakes, and fist-bumps, but where will that take you? Similarly in the martial arts, it is great to do things for others. However, focusing on the acceptance of others can be hurtful if that is your primary goal. Also, those people only provide earthly things. Where will all of those earthly things be in the next 50 years or so? You spend so much time impressing others that you often forget the most important aspect in our life, which is Christ. In Colossians 3, Paul talks about how Christ will provide His inheritance, which is everlasting life through Jesus. Therefore, instead of doing things that impress others, do things that bring glory to our Heavenly Father, who has sent His Son as that inheritance. As you go about your day, I want you to not only give it your all in the martial arts for yourself, but also do everything to glorify the Lord.