Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things (Philippians 4:8)
Excellence begins with a decision. You have to make up your mind that you will pursue something higher than mediocrity. If you never establish standards for yourself, you will easily settle for whatever happens around you. But when you decide that your life must reflect the excellence of Christ, you begin to make different choices.
This doesn’t mean comparing yourself with other people. Your standard is not another person’s achievements. Your standard is the Word of God. Ask yourself: What kind of person does the Word of God teach me to become? Then begin working towards that standard.
Set high ideals for your character. Decide that you will be truthful. Decide that you will be dependable. Decide that your words will be gracious. Decide that you will keep learning. Decide that you will be diligent. Decide that you will treat people with love and respect. Decide that you will not allow laziness, bitterness, pride, or carelessness to become permanent features of your personality.
Then give yourself time to grow. Excellence is developed progressively. You may look back after several months and realise that you respond differently, think differently, speak differently, and handle situations with greater wisdom than before. That is growth.
Don’t despise the process. Every day gives you another opportunity to become better. Learn something. Correct something. Improve something. Develop something. Keep moving forward. The goal is not to impress people but to become a person of genuine value whose life reflects the excellence of Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for showing me through Your Word the kind of life I can live in Christ. Thank You for giving me standards of truth, purity, wisdom, love, and excellence. I am grateful for every opportunity to grow and improve. I declare that I am growing daily in character, wisdom, knowledge, and excellence, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.