“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV)
Have you even known someone who seemed to do just enough to get by? No more, no less, just the bare minimum. It happens. A student does only enough to pass the course. An employee fakes busyness but produces little work. We even find them within the church. They show up, sit in the same pew week after week, and then disappear until the following Sunday. There is little actual involvement in the mission of the church.
A SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE
As I thought about some of my favorite Bible characters, I realized the common quality displayed in each of their lives was a spirit of excellence.
- Joseph may have been sold as a slave in Egypt, but he showed diligence in everything he did.
- Daniel was taken as a captive to Babylon, but he never compromised his integrity. Because of his excellent spirit, he advanced to a high government position.
- Jeremiah, the prophet, suffered at the hands of his own countrymen, but he never allowed their actions deter him. He stayed true to God’s calling.
These, as well as many others we could name, were undaunted by their circumstances. They chose to live their lives with a spirit of excellence.
MORE THAN “JUST GETTING BY”
Someone once described excellence as, “Doing what you know to do, how you should do it, when you should do it, whether it is convenient or not.”
Some confuse excellence with perfection. We may never achieve perfection, but we can work to the best of our ability in whatever we undertake. A spirit of excellence will cause us to give our utmost effort in the work of the Lord, even if others never know. The only one we must strive to please is God.
God blesses each of us with special talents and abilities. He then places us where we can best use these gifts to fulfill His purpose in our lives. First Corinthians 12:18 says God has placed each of us in the body of Christ “just as He pleased.” It is a place where we can be a great blessing to His work. However, we have a choice to make. We can embrace it with an “I’ll just get by” attitude or with a spirit that causes us to strive for excellence in everything we do.
Not every position in the body of Christ is front and center. Some may write newsletters, paint classrooms, run the sound system, landscape the lawn, or visit nursing homes. No matter how humble the task, if done unto the Lord, it has value for the kingdom. Luke 16:10 tells us, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (NKJV).
Are we willing to serve with the same diligence, dedication, and self-discipline in behind-the-scenes roles as we would in a more public position?
OUR BEST EFFORT
Regardless of our place of service—janitor, nursery worker, teacher, usher, musician, or pastor—the Lord requires the same from each: our best effort. Your pastor no doubt filled some not-so-prestigious roles before God advanced him to a pulpit ministry. God first observes how trustworthy we are and then increases our responsibilities.
God knows the best place for us to serve. Wherever He places us, we can do it with mediocrity or with excellence. Choose excellence—and serve from the heart.
“Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11, NKJV)
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
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