Strive For Excellence 3

In the last 2 weeks, we have been considering biblical perspectives of striving for excellence. This week, we will look at one further point under this important subject.

2. While striving for excellence, have a disposition that views excellence as a direction and not a final destination.

I sometimes meet people who behave like there is nothing better they could aspire for. In colloquial terms, they believe they have “arrived”. Perhaps they have achieved some “success” in some way and so they settle in as if they are at a final destination without recognizing that there is more that God would want them to abound in. Contrary to this view, the Holy Scriptures paint a different picture to us as lucidly expressed by the Apostle Paul:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on…” Philippians 3:12-14 New International Version

This means that while we are on this side of eternity, our perspective ought to be one of desiring to be better.

Again, it is understandable that all of us desire success, we all want to be successful in our different endeavors and quite often, we are only fully focused on striving for success. However, the biblical perspective for life is one in which we are enjoined to focus on excellence which then brings success. To say this in a different way, we ought to focus on the process to be assured of the right product.

This is the point made in Proverbs 22:29

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men.” Holman Christian Standard Bible

The implication of this proverb is that anyone who desires to stand in the presence of kings should strive to become skilled in his work. So dear friends, rather than focus on success and promotion, focus on excellence. When we strive for excellence, success and promotion are inevitable. It would only be a matter of time.

I have studied the lives of some interesting characters in the Old Testament. Joseph and Daniel for example stand out as men of faith who were successful in pagan societies. What I have found very striking is that these 2 men did not display any “crazy” pursuit of success but they were focused on excellence. It was their excellence that brought them success.

So remember, you have not “arrived”. You are not at your final destination yet. Focus on the process (excellence) and then the product (success) is assured. Go on striving for excellence and God will bless the endeavor with success.

To be continued…