Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him. (Daniel 6:3)
Daniel’s excellence became so evident that it could not be ignored. His superiors noticed it. His colleagues noticed it. The king noticed it. He didn’t have to advertise himself. His life spoke for him.
This is the kind of excellence we should pursue. Don’t constantly announce how excellent you are. Let your work demonstrate it. Let your character demonstrate it. Let your consistency demonstrate it. Let your treatment of people demonstrate it. Let your response to pressure demonstrate it.
Excellence should become a standard you carry everywhere. Whether you are at home, in church, at work, in school, with friends, or alone, your standard should remain the same. You shouldn’t need an audience before you become disciplined. You shouldn’t need recognition before you give your best.
Excellence is not necessarily perfection. You can make errors. You will have moments when you need correction. You will discover areas in which you need to grow. Excellence means refusing to remain comfortable with mediocrity. It means being willing to improve.
Make up your mind that your life will communicate something higher. Your character, your work, your relationships, your speech, your learning, your service, and your spiritual life should all reflect the influence of Christ.
Let people encounter something different because you are there. Let them see diligence instead of carelessness, wisdom instead of confusion, integrity instead of compromise, and love instead of selfishness. Let excellence become your standard.
Prayer:
Glorious Father, I thank You for the grace to grow beyond mediocrity and establish excellence as a standard in my life. I am grateful that I can improve continually through Your Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I consciously reflect Christ in my character, work, relationships, service, and daily conduct bringing Glory to your matchless Name, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.