Recapturing the Virtue of Excellence

{jcomments on}GRANDPAUSE:

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…”  Eph. 6:7

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”

— Colin Powell

A local automotive mechanic from our church once commented about his industry’s reputation for poor quality work and dishonesty. He acknowledged that it was not without good cause that this reputation developed. That is why he has dedicated himself and his business to excellence and honesty in everything they do. 

There is a remarkable prevalence among people in America today to do as little as possible to get by. Little consideration is given for the quality of work being performed or the consequence of sloppy work on others, particularly the consumer. Mediocrity replaces excellence for the sake of expedience, and it is well entrenched in our society.

The Bible teaches a different approach—one that paves the way for true success and happiness. It is found not in getting by with as little as you can, but in doing everything you can with wholehearted excellence. Excellence expresses the character of God and is evident in all of creation. Made in His image, it ought also to characterize our work. For the next couple of weeks, we will explore this virtue called excellence.

The commitment to excellence is an act of worship. Everything we do is an offering of our best. He has given us His excellence and He is worthy of ours. Thus, it not only glorifies God, but leads to an inexpressible joy and sense of fulfillment knowing something has been so well done and will bless others too. Excellence is the product of relentless diligence and wholehearted service, and those who choose excellence know that the rewards are indescribable.

Would our children and grandchildren say we are building a legacy of excellence in everything we do?  Do they know that sloppy work and just getting by are not a part of our vocabulary and practice because that would not be a worthy offering of worship to the God of all excellence? 

Intentional grandparenting involves excellence both in the way we live and the things we say. We have a great opportunity to help them learn to live with all excellence if we live it ourselves and talk to them about it with grace and patience. Only let us be careful not to measure excellence by our own personal yardstick, but God’s.

What are ways you teach and model excellence with your grandchildren? Share your thoughts on FaceBook.