We’ve been talking about choices a lot lately. Why? Because making wise choices is a big part of living a better story. Our lives are made up of the choices we make.
Here is what we’ve said so far:
Choice # 1 is to Love God
Choice # 2 is to Love People
Today’s choice is to Pursue Excellence.
I visited a nearby church a few years ago that places a high value on excellence. It was evident everywhere you looked. Because of it, you felt welcomed and comfortable. You felt like they were intentional. While it was hard to put my finger on at first, I left that church reminded me that excellence matters — a lot.
Think about this: God created this whole world and said, “It is good.” He designed everything with intentionality. I know some who read this are into the design shows on TV. Go ahead and admit it, you’ve been thinking about buying shiplap!
God is the ultimate designer. He is into the details. He cares about how things are done. Because of this, details and excellence should matter to us as well.
Ever since the fall, there has been a natural drift away from order and excellence. Things naturally deteriorate and drift from the ideal. It’s part of life on this earth.
Yet, as followers of Jesus, we can choose to live lives of excellence. We can join God in bringing order to the chaos.
Pursuing Excellence
Do things well.
Whatever you set your mind to, do it really well.
Daniel, who we read about in the Old Testament, did things well.
“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” Daniel 6:3
Daniel didn’t cut corners. He served with excellence, and it set him apart from the rest of the crowd. He gave him incredible influence i.
Invest your time wisely.
(And respect other people’s time!)
We talked about adding value to people in another post. One way to do this is to respect their time.
“Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it.” — Rick Warren
“Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill them up with holy service.” — Charles Spurgeon
“So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17
Put people ahead of personal preference.
Paul reminds us in Philippians 2 to put other’s needs ahead of our own. The point is people.
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:1-4
Excellence doesn’t require more money or other resources. It just comes down to a choice. So today, strive for excellence, not perfection.