Why Should Christians Operate in Excellence?
As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Christ in everything we do and with everyone with whom we interact. This means that we should not be satisfied with just doing the bare minimum for tasks that we undertake, but rather seek to do them with excellence. Excellence is not about being perfect or flawless, but about doing our best with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. It is also about having a positive attitude and mindset, a willingness to learn, to improve, and to cultivate a desire to honor God and serve others.
We seek to have the best interaction possible with each person that crosses our path. Every person is created in the image of God and has inherent value and dignity. Every person is a potential friend, ally, or disciple. Every person has an opportunity to show the love and grace of God. Every person is a reflection of ourselves and how we treat them reveals our character and level of maturity. Christ has set an example for us in how he interacted with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and situations. He was compassionate, respectful, humble, honest, wise, and courageous. He was not afraid to challenge the status quo, confront injustice, or speak the truth in love. He was not influenced by the opinions of others but by the will of his Father. He was not motivated by selfish ambition but by selfless service.
In the bible, there is a story that illustrates why we should do our best. It is the parable of the talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30. In this story, a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (talents), according to their abilities. One was given five, another two, and the third was given one. He then goes away for a long time and expects them to use the money wisely and productively. When he returns, he rewards the two servants who multiplied their talents but punishes the third one who buried his talent in the ground. This parable teaches us that God has given each of us different gifts and opportunities, and He expects us to use them for His glory and the benefit of others. We should not be lazy or fearful, but faithful and diligent. We should not hide our light under a basket, but let it shine before men. We should not bury our talents but invest them in God’s kingdom.
Practices and Characteristics that Can Help Us to Operate Excellently:
– Integrity: Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Integrity means being honest, trustworthy, and consistent in what we say and do. It means keeping our promises, honoring our commitments, and being accountable for our actions. It does not matter how insignificant a task or activity may seem to you, to someone else it may be a lifeline. An example of a lack of integrity is telling someone that you are traveling to meet you are only 5 minutes away when you are 10 minutes away. Integrity means being faithful to God. If we believe that He is all-knowing then we know that He knows everything that we say and do what David stated in Psalm 139:1-6.
– Diligence: Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Diligence means working hard, being productive, having the mindset to be successful, and doing things well. It means being focused, organized, and disciplined. It means being proactive, creative, and resourceful. It means being faithful to God and responsible to others. When you develop and practice this attitude you won’t need to have anyone micromanaging you as you will hold yourself accountable to God and to yourself first. If your lunch break ends at 2 pm practice to be back at least 5 minutes before, not right on time, or 5 minutes after. Do not give in to those people who tell you to cut corners or to settle for doing the bare minimum.
– Excellence: Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Excellence means having high standards, pursuing quality, and striving for improvement. It means being positive, optimistic, and enthusiastic. It means being grateful, generous, and gracious. It means being faithful to God and respectful to others.
How many of those do you practice daily? What other positive habits do you employ to be excellent in your work and also in your walk with Christ? As a Christian, operating in excellence is important because it glorifies God and reflects His character. It edifies others and builds His kingdom because it fulfills our purpose and expresses our worship.
How Can We Develop and Apply These Habits Daily to Everything We Do and With Everyone We Interact With?
Here are some practical tips:
– Start with prayer: Ask God to help you live according to his will and his ways. Ask Him to give you wisdom, strength, and grace for each day. Ask him to show you areas where you need to grow and change. The Psalmist in Psalm 5:3 states that he lays his requests before the Lord in the morning, an example we would do well to follow.
– Plan your day: Set realistic goals and priorities for each day. Make it your practice to write a daily “things to do list”, review it regularly, and cross out tasks as soon as you have completed them. Do not forget what is instructed in Proverbs 16:3,” Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Allocate your time and resources wisely. Consistently doing the bare minimum (satisficing) to get by will not make you a person of excellence. Avoid distractions and procrastination.
– New mindset: It is important to get rid of old habits and mindsets that are not aligned with Godly living and replace them with the virtues and principles taught in the Bible. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) states, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
– Always do your best: Whatever task or challenge faces you, do it with all your heart as unto the Lord. Don’t settle for mediocrity or complacency. Seek feedback, learn, improve, and grow. Work hard and learn from your mistakes and failures. The Bible encourages us in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
– Be flexible: Be open to new opportunities and challenges. Be adaptable to changing circumstances and situations. Be willing to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge. Be ready to face the unexpected and the unknown. The message God gave to Jeremiah at the Potter’s house shows that God requires His people to be obedient and willing to change. (Jeremiah 18:1-6)
– Be humble: Recognize your limitations and weaknesses. Acknowledge your dependence on God and your need for his grace. Seek his guidance and direction. Submit to his authority and sovereignty. Proverbs 22:4, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
– Be respectful: Treat everyone with dignity and kindness. Listen attentively and empathetically. Speak politely and constructively. Act courteously and considerately. 1 Peter 2:17 tells us to respect everyone, regardless of their social status or their position.
– Be helpful: Look for ways to serve others and meet their needs. Offer your assistance and support. Share your resources and gifts. Encourage others with your words and actions. Hebrews 13:16: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
– Be thankful: Appreciate what God has done for you and what He has given you. Express your gratitude to Him daily through prayer and praise. Show your appreciation to others through words and deeds. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
How can we identify our areas of weakness and work on them consistently until we have improved in those areas? Here are some suggestions:
-Develop and embrace an attitude of learning continually. Each time you come across something new find out about it. Be hungry for knowledge and seek answers. For example, if you see or hear a word you do not know, find out the meaning of it. The next time you hear it you will know what it means. You can then explain it if someone asks.
– Seek feedback: Ask others for their honest and constructive opinions about your performance and behavior. Listen to their suggestions and criticisms without being defensive or offended. Learn from their perspectives and experiences.
– Seek mentors: Find someone who has the skills, knowledge, or character that you want to develop or improve. Ask them to guide you, teach you, or coach you. Follow their advice and example. Learn from their successes and failures.
– Seek resources: Find books, articles, podcasts, videos, courses, or workshops that can help you learn more about your areas of improvement. Read, watch, listen, or attend them regularly. Apply what you learn to your daily life.
– Seek accountability: Find a friend, colleague, or partner who can help you stay on track with your goals and plans. Share your progress and challenges with them regularly. Ask them to remind, motivate, or correct you when needed. Most importantly, be your own accountability watchdog.
Conclusion
Can making these improvements in the way we operate and live our lives be a powerful witness to others about who Jesus is and how allowing Him to influence our lives can change us for the better? Absolutely! By living in excellence, we can demonstrate the reality and relevance of the gospel to others. We can show them that following Christ is not weird, boring, or burdensome, but joyful and fulfilling. We can demonstrate to them that Christianity is a way that affects every facet of our existence. We can show them that being a Christian is not about being perfect or superior, but about being transformed and empowered by God’s grace. We can show them that God loves them, has a plan for them, and can make their lives better.
As Christians, we have special roles to play in the world. We are not just followers of Christ, but we are His ambassadors or representatives. Our actions and words should show His love, grace, and truth to others. We should strive to do everything with excellence, as a way of honoring God and serving His purposes. Being excellent in the way we operate does not mean that we are perfect. Let us therefore strive to be people of excellence following Christ, for His glory and for our good.