For years I worked a waitress and a bartender. I so enjoyed my work because I love people and take delight in serving others. I found doing it with a spirit of excellence to be the most rewarding part. There is something so satisfying about doing things God’s way. After all, we were created in God’s image and nothing He does is ever mediocre. To prove this point you only have to look as far as the striking beauty of the earth’s landscape or the sparkle of a sunrise over the ocean. In this, you see not only beauty but God’s excellence.
Excellence is attractive. Think about it. When I was working in the restaurant industry, I had many customers that were regulars and would often request that I be their server. Some were extremely generous and some were…. let’s just say not so generous! But that never reflected the level of service I provided them. To give them anything less than my best was not an option for me. I took pride in my work and I was committed to doing things as excellent as I could. I also found that I didn’t need to be perfect! If on occasion I didn’t get their order correct, they extended me grace. They knew I genuinely cared and I was doing my absolute best. Excellence is attractive.
There is a big difference between excellence and perfection. Excellence is NOT perfection. There is no joy in trying to be perfect. Perfection is physically unattainable for us as humans, and going after it only leads to strife. But excellence comes when we give our absolute best and remain committed to a task. This wholehearted devotion gives way to an inner joy and satisfaction. We feel good about ourselves when we operate in excellence.
As Christians, we are called Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us (2 Cor 5:20). As God is excellent in all He does, so should we seek to also operate in excellence.
I learned a lesson from Pastor Adam a long time ago that provided me another perspective. “Excellence produces comfort and comfort produces openness.” As Christians, openness is what we are looking for. After all, we are here to live our lives in such a way that draws others to the saving grace of Christ. We are his mouthpiece and people are not going to be attracted to what we have to say until they see that our lives line up with what the Bible teaches. I’ve seen this play out in my own life. As I purposed myself to live a life of excellence, many opportunities opened up for me to share my faith.
So let us live our lives with excellence; in our personal lives, the workplace, and as we serve together as a church. I promise you lives will be changed when we do.