Take It Up Another Notch!

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).

Recently I was watching one of the food channels and caught an old program of Emeril LaGassi. He is one of my favorite personality chefs. The name of the program was “Manly Man Tailgate Party.” I know that sounds really bad for those who may not be familiar with Emeril! This particular episode (a rerun) was in the parking lot of the Super Bowl. It was full of showmanship! Most notably he reminded me of his trademark outburst of “take it up another notch!” When he said that in that setting, it starting me thinking about some of the truly great people who never get the recognition that others seem to get.

For example, you've probably never heard of Frosty Westerling. For the last 50 years he's been winning football games in the shadows of obscurity. Lots of them. His name is in the record books alongside Eddie Robinson, Bear Bryant, Pop Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden and Tom Osborne as the only collegiate coaches to win at least 250 games. For over 30 years Frosty was the head football coach at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. During those 30 years his teams have compiled a 253-58-5 record, appeared in eight title games and won four national championships. In 2001 he led the Lutes to their first NCAA Division III title. You won't see Frosty Westerling on Sports Center. His team won't be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Sparks Stadium, where the Lutes play their home games, seats just 4500 fans and is owned by the Puyallup School District. Despite coaching in a spotlight the equivalent of a key chain flashlight, you won't find a more dedicated coach anywhere in America. Not long ago, Frosty authored the book, "Make The Big Time Where You Are." In it he describes eating at a Waffle House. He ordered his eggs over-easy, his toast golden brown and his bacon crisp. When his food arrived, it came exactly how he ordered it. Frosty was so impressed by this attention to detail that he tipped not only the waitress, but the cook too, who accepted the money almost in disbelief.

We may never make the record books of this earth, but there is a book in which our names have been written if we are believers. That ought to spur us to excellence in whatever we find ourselves doing. This morning’s reading helps us understand that our true employer is the Lord. That fact makes wherever life has led you truly the "big time"! Reevaluate your attitude toward the things that you do. Refocus your motivation toward them. Realize that the Lord knows what you are doing and keeps the only record that truly counts! Go ahead... “Take it up another notch!”