From Common To Exceptional - A Minute of Vision for Men

From Common to Exceptional

What makes a player with common talent become exceptional? What makes an athlete who has had a mediocre few seasons turn the corner and become great? In the steroid era of baseball, a number of players went from having common talent to having exceptional talent through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. These enhancers were kept hidden, but when they came out, the impact dishonored the game that America has loved for more than a century.

Other athletes have transitioned from common to exceptional because of their discipline and work ethic. Houston Texan Whitney Mercilus finished the 2015 season having what many called a “breakout” year. He finished with twelve sacks in the regular season and three sacks in their play-off loss to the Chiefs. Mercilus took the more disciplined approach to performance enhancement by hiring a personal chef to change his eating habits, limiting red meat in his diet, and upping his workout regimen in the off-season. When I saw him before the New England Patriots game and complimented him for his season, he said, “Finally, I am healthy.”

Health comes into our lives when we get rid of the common things and set ourselves apart for something exceptional. The apostle Paul challenged Timothy to this exceptional life by saying to him in 2 Timothy 2:20-21, “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”

Setting yourself apart takes discipline, but it’s worth it. Set yourself apart, and enjoy the fruit that is borne through disciplined holy living.

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:20-21