One of the Operational Values of Lakeside Church is excellence. We believe that we honor God by giving him our best: our best efforts, our best gifts, our best thoughts and passions.
The value is not perfection. Perfection in human pursuits is a holey bucket. It is frustrating to the perfectionist and to everyone around him or her. When Jesus said, "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," he was seeking to show us our desperate need for grace. If perfection is required, we're out; unless, of course, we have a redeemer.
Excellence, on the other hand, inspires. It is worthy of our aspirations. When a sermon is delivered with excellence, people are not distracted by the preacher, but are free to be transformed by the message preached, along with the preacher. When a Kidsfest teacher teaches with excellence, the structure of the lesson fades into the background as children learn to love and follow Jesus.
Excellence requires effort. Nobody falls into patterns of excellence. Those people who make their jobs look easy have worked hard for that effect.
In your life as a follower of Jesus today, where is the excellence? In your pursuit of scripture or prayer, where is the excellence? In your leadership of a small group, where is your excellence? In serving the poor, how do you excel?
When you give it your best, it will not save you. But your excellence will honor the Lord, and he may use it to bless others.
Excellent breakdown Brad. Thank you for the clarity in what we pursue as Christian's. Your words have helped emphasize my heart and intentions are in the right place in all that I am trying to do to honor Our Father in Heaven.
Posted by: Martin Flores | May 06, 2010 at 09:00 AM