THOUGHTS ON THE LORD’S DAY
“Excellence is not a goal to be reached, but a way of life to be lived.”
Excellence is not a gift from God, a natural talent, nor a goal to reach for, but a way of life that must be passionately pursued no matter how small the task or how great the challenge.
The pursuer of excellence focuses on achieving goals to attain personal satisfaction rather than needing others to recognize their success.
The perfectionist can only feel good about him or herself when others recognize the achievement. In fact, the perfectionist is often unable to accomplish tasks or goals when they don’t receive external recognition.
God gave you gifts, talents and desires, it’s up to you to cultivate them with a spirit of excellence. Never confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence is giving your personal best to please God. Perfection is pushing yourself in order to please others.
“Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”
Daniel 6:3
If you are given to slothfulness, accepting second best, or masking your lack of effort with excuses you are a liability and not an asset to the Kingdom, regardless of your position, title, intellect or skill.
You may not be the smartest person in the room or have the best of talent and the greatest of opportunities, but failing to give your personal best with a spirit of excellence is in excusable.
God wants no more, however, He expects no less. That’s the reason He brought your spirit back to life, empowered you with supernatural gifts and talents and gave you a Kingdom assignment.
Did you you give it your best last week? If not, why not?