Excellence

Why Excellence?

We have spent the year consecrating ourselves, being established in Christ, walking in obedience, practicing faithfulness, embracing increase, serving with our gifts, and reaping harvest. This month we take up excellence: reflecting God's glory in all we do. Excellence is not perfectionism or people-pleasing. It is offering our best to God in every area of life so that He is glorified. When we do our work, our ministry, and our relationships with excellence, we reflect the character of the God we serve.

In Daniel 6:3“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”Daniel 6:3, we read that Daniel “so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” Daniel's excellence was not for his own glory. It was the fruit of a life lived before God with integrity, diligence, and faithfulness. His exceptional qualities pointed others to something beyond himself. That is what we are after: excellence that reflects God's glory.

“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

Daniel 6:3 (NIV)

What Excellence Means

To pursue excellence is to offer our best in every sphere: in our work, our relationships, our service, and our worship. It means we do not settle for half-hearted effort when we have the capacity to do better. Excellence is not about outperforming others. It is about honoring God with what He has given us. When we reflect God's glory in all we do, we are bearing fruit that points to Him.

Reflecting God's glory in all we do also means that excellence is holistic. It is not only for Sunday or for visible ministry. It is for our jobs, our homes, our communities, and our private lives. Daniel excelled in a pagan court. He did not compromise his faith; he served with such integrity and skill that the king could not ignore him. We are called to the same: to be so faithful and so excellent that our lives point to the God we serve.

Exceptional Qualities

Daniel's exceptional qualities were the result of a life rooted in God. He prayed, he obeyed, and he served with integrity. Excellence flows from the same place: from consecration, establishment, obedience, faithfulness, and service. We do not manufacture excellence by trying harder in our own strength. We offer our best in dependence on God, and He is glorified. That is our focus for August: to reflect God's glory in all we do.

A Word for This Month

Let August be a month of intentional excellence. Ask the Lord to show you where He wants you to offer your best. In your work, your relationships, your service, and your worship, aim to reflect His glory. Do not settle for mediocrity where God has called you to excel. We are not aiming for the praise of people. We are aiming for a life so marked by excellence that others see the character of God. Reflecting God's glory in all we do.

Exceptional qualities. Reflecting God's glory.