I was looking for a dictionary in my bookcase when I came across Page Talbott’s Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World. Reflecting upon the valuable lessons I learned when I first read this book, I felt a deep prompting to write a post about pursuing excellence, rooted in our faith.
The great philosopher Aristotle once wrote that “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” For us as Christians, this rings true: we are called not just to moments of goodness, but to a continuous life that reflects Christ’s character and the gifts He has given us. We believe we are born to be the best we can be for God’s glory and, as such, we must develop positive, Christ-honoring habits. To pursue this godly excellence, we need purposeful, prayerful goals, a heart of passion and dedication, and the discipline of lifelong spiritual and intellectual growth.
1. Setting Goals as a Godly Roadmap 🗺️
Since excellence is a state of being, not an act performed just once, it is essential to have goals that serve as your roadmap guided by the Holy Spirit. When you have a destination in mind—a specific calling, a spiritual milestone, or a skill to develop—you can discern whether you are taking the right steps or not.
Imagine setting out on a journey without consulting the Lord or even knowing your destination. You could easily end up wasting precious time and resources. As Proverbs 16:3 advises, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Making goal-setting an integral, prayerful part of your life means aligning your ambitions with God’s will and relying on His direction. The more you set and act on these goals with faith, the better equipped you become to serve Him.
2. Cultivating Passion as a Purposeful Drive 🔥
In pursuing excellence, you must be truly passionate and dedicated to achieving your God-given purpose or reaching your destination. This passion is the inner conviction that the work you are doing matters for the Kingdom.
For instance, a university student whose end goal is to become a great medical doctor for the glory of God will work diligently in all her courses, even the challenging ones. She understands that graduating with excellent grades is part of the calling, a necessary step toward serving others through medicine. Her journey won’t end there because she has become accustomed to pursuing excellence, a mindset that propels her to continue working hard to honor her commitment. When your end goal is infused with purpose and a love for what you do, you become deeply motivated. You become aware of the spiritual and practical obstacles, and you are willing to work harder to see your God-given dreams realized. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
3. Embracing Lifelong Learning and Growth 🌱
Unsurprisingly, those who pursue excellence—especially those seeking to grow in their faith and impact—develop the habit of lifelong learning. They are constantly upgrading their skills, knowledge, and abilities to be more effective stewards of their gifts.
Attaining excellence requires investing in yourself, not just through professional reading or conferences, but profoundly through daily immersion in God’s Word, participation in Bible studies, and consistent prayer. Our education doesn’t end when we leave the classroom or finish a project. It must continue because spiritual maturity and practical mastery are ongoing processes. Pursuing excellence involves recognizing that only God “knows it all,” and there is always room for improvement in our character, service, and understanding.
In conclusion, Christian excellence is developed by setting prayerful, well-defined goals and taking action with diligence and faith to achieve them. In your pursuit, be passionate about what you are doing as unto the Lord, and always cultivate the habit of lifelong learning and spiritual growth. When you see excellence not merely as a personal achievement but as a calling and an act of worship, you will surely realize the truth in Vince Lombardi’s statement that “the quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”
