Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour – 1 Corinthians 3:8
If I had to summarize the movie, The Best You Can, I would say the title does an excellent job of capturing the story’s point: You don’t always have to get it right to be just right for those who matter the most. This message was eloquently conveyed when one of the main characters, Stan, spoke of a camping trip with his then ten-year-old daughter and how his attempt to fix a problem had only worsened it. However, instead of being scolded, his daughter comforted him by saying, “It’s okay, Dad. You’re doing the best you can.” She recognized her father’s heart, and that made even what he hadn’t done right good enough.
Your best is what God expects from you, not you trying to keep up with others. I perceived this spiritual message while watching the aforementioned movie, which resurfaced Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30). The king evaluated each servant’s effort independently. It was what each chose to do with the given talent that determined their reward. I was also reminded of 2 Corinthians 9:7 and how a “cheerful giver” gives without pressure and without mimicking others. It is a reflection of the heart, which is what God looks for: your best.
One day we will all stand before God, and there will be no references to what others did. What we receive as a reward will reflect what we chose to do with our time while on earth. In other words, there’s no competition when it comes to doing, giving, and being your best.