Miss Beikoff was scheduled to deliver a Talk at our College Award Assembly for Junior School, but she’s currently in Spain with the ParaMatildas, Australia’s women’s cerebral palsy football team. Exciting news just in: they’ve won the IFCPF Women’s World Cup 2024, triumphing with a 6-2 victory over the USA! Miss Beikoff is doing her best for her country, showing dedication and heart.

At our College Awards Assembly, we are recognising students who have done their best in different areas. It’s a great time to reflect: do we always give our best?

Sometimes, our best effort depends on how much we like the person or the task in front of us. When we enjoy the subject or respect the teacher, it feels easier to put in our full effort. But what happens when we don’t like the subject or the person we’re working with? Too often, we settle for second best, holding back instead of giving it our all. Christians are encouraged to do their best all the time. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve.”

Jesus asks us to give our best not to impress others or make them happy but because we are ultimately serving him.  Why give Jesus our best? Because Jesus gave us his best.

As we prepare for Christmas, we remember how Jesus came into the world and lived a perfect life. He always gave his best, and in the greatest act of love, he died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. He swapped his best for our worst because he loves us so much.

If Jesus could do that for us, surely, we can strive to give our best for him. It’s not about being the best—it’s about doing your best for Jesus. That’s what matters.

Let’s follow Miss Beikoff’s example of giving her all, whether on the sports field or in life, and live each day giving our best for the one who gave everything for us.