Jerry lived a life of excellence. Was he perfect? No, but he lived his life perfectly before God. How did he live in excellence? Well he started every morning off with a prayer of thanksgiving. Whether he needed something from God or not, he simply started his day with giving thanks to God for all that he had, even if God didn't give him what he wanted. Beginning his day in this manner set the tone for the rest of the day for Jerry. Since he consulted God in every area of his life, his finances, though tight at times, stretched beyond his wildest imaginations; his job, though boring and often mundane, was new and different each day because of his approach and before long he was promoted for his diligence and work ethic; his relationship had strains like everyone else's, but he was able to thank God for his wife, in spite of their difficulties and their marriage thrived as he just celebrated 33 years of marriage; and his emotional health took hits every now and then, but he always got back up and lived each day with purpose.
We too can live a life of excellence. Often times we think that living a life of excellence is equal to living a life of perfection; but that's not reality. We will all face difficulties and hard times, but how are we approaching it? Are we finding the positives or the negatives in life's challenges? Are we arriving to work late or on time? Do we value our worship experience or just disregard time with God? Do we save or spend? Do we watch what we eat or eat what we want? Do we pray about how to approach various situation or just take them head on? Do we take a lazy approach or diligent approach? Moreover are we truly grateful for everything we face in life or are we often resentful and un-grateful about what we have to face in life?
In Daniel 6:3 we see that Daniel lived a life of excellence. In fact because he lived a life of excellence he was placed before great men in a world where he didn't do things their way. See Daniel refused to eat the "king's meat." In other words he refused to accept the ways of the world in order to get ahead or to be accepted; Daniel simply stood on the promises of God and for that he was promoted and exalted. He was found to be trustworthy and responsible and for that considered to operate in a spirit of excellence.
What is a spirit of excellence? Well it's one where we walk in love, not hate; serve the Lord with gladness, not with hesitation; remain contented, not in want; sleep in peace, not confusion; stand fast in power and not fear; live a life that's pleasing, not displeasing; and where we trust God wholeheartedly without doubting. In short having a spirit of excellence simply means we are sold out completely to God, willing to live life his way even if the world stands against us. Today let us create an attitude that says I will do everything in excellence!
We too can live a life of excellence. Often times we think that living a life of excellence is equal to living a life of perfection; but that's not reality. We will all face difficulties and hard times, but how are we approaching it? Are we finding the positives or the negatives in life's challenges? Are we arriving to work late or on time? Do we value our worship experience or just disregard time with God? Do we save or spend? Do we watch what we eat or eat what we want? Do we pray about how to approach various situation or just take them head on? Do we take a lazy approach or diligent approach? Moreover are we truly grateful for everything we face in life or are we often resentful and un-grateful about what we have to face in life?
In Daniel 6:3 we see that Daniel lived a life of excellence. In fact because he lived a life of excellence he was placed before great men in a world where he didn't do things their way. See Daniel refused to eat the "king's meat." In other words he refused to accept the ways of the world in order to get ahead or to be accepted; Daniel simply stood on the promises of God and for that he was promoted and exalted. He was found to be trustworthy and responsible and for that considered to operate in a spirit of excellence.
What is a spirit of excellence? Well it's one where we walk in love, not hate; serve the Lord with gladness, not with hesitation; remain contented, not in want; sleep in peace, not confusion; stand fast in power and not fear; live a life that's pleasing, not displeasing; and where we trust God wholeheartedly without doubting. In short having a spirit of excellence simply means we are sold out completely to God, willing to live life his way even if the world stands against us. Today let us create an attitude that says I will do everything in excellence!
No comments:
Post a Comment