In His Name Devotionals
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
In His Name Devotionals
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
“...so that you may approve the things that are excellent.” (Philippians 1:10 NIV) There is a story of a pilot who came on the loudspeaker mid-flight and said, “I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is, we’ve lost all our instrumentation and don’t know where we are. The good news is, we have a strong tailwind and are making good time.” That is an accurate picture of how many people live, i.e., having no direction in life, but getting there fast.
As a Christian you are to be different because you have divine guidance and eternal goals. Your life is to be marked by a confident trust in God and a pursuit of spiritual excellence.
“Excellent” in Philippians 1:10, speaks of things that are worthwhile and vital. “Approv(ing)” what is “excellent” refers to testing things as one would test a precious metal to determine its purity and value. It goes beyond knowing good from evil. It distinguishes between better and best. It involves thinking Biblically and focusing your time and energy on what really counts. It involves cultivating spiritual discipline and not being controlled by your emotions, whims, moods, or circumstances.
Many organizations and businesses have rightly adopted the motto “Commitment to Excellence,” conveying their desire to provide the finest product or service possible. If secular-minded people strive for that level of achievement, how much more should Christians pursue excellence for the glory of God.
Look at your life. Is it filled with godly love, discernment, and the pursuit of excellence—or has worldly trivia crowded out those virtues?
