CALLED TO EXCEL
-- By Sondra McCauley

A short time ago, I was required to develop and issue performance appraisals to staff that I supervised over the past year. By its very nature, the effort was very thought provoking. One rating in particular caused me to think about the responsibility that each one of us has with regard to the service we're called to perform-whether at church, at home, or in the workplace. The rating that I issued to the staff member was a good one. She had done a good job of everything that I required her to do, and in the time allotted. But in my view, something more was needed.

During the rating counseling session, I had several words of advice and encouragement for the young women regarding future assignments. While I discussed a number of things, the key point that I made was that it's never enough to do just enough. It's never enough to simply follow directions, producing only the minimum required, devoid of vision, drive, or interest on our part. In any service, we're called to give of ourselves, adding an element of uniqueness and rigor in what we have to offer-looking for new results, opportunities, and effective ways of doing things. The Bible says "Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." (Eccl. 9:10). We're called to take the gifts and talents, skills and abilities, thoughts and ideas that God has given us to bring forth something new or different that attests to the individuality with which He created us. We're called to excellence.

Some people mistake excellence for perfection in a product or an action. It can be, but I believe that it's more than that. Excellence is not just what you do or produce, but how you do it and produce it. Excellence is an attitude-an eagerness to do the best we can with what God's placed in us. It's the drive to go that extra mile and add that finishing touch, no matter who is watching and no matter how trivial the task. For Christians, excellence is an imperative, for we are called to do all things heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (Col. 3:23) With a spirit of excellence, no matter where we're planted, we will rise above the crowd and show forth God's favor. Joseph, the favorite of Jacob's 12 sons, provides a good illustration of this. Though unjustly thrown in a pit and later sold into slavery by his brothers for 20 pieces of silver, he continued to walk in excellence. Down in Egypt, he rose to become overseer of all of Potiphar's house. Thrown in prison, God's grace and Joseph's commitment to excellence led him to become head of the jail. Ultimately, Joseph became leader of all Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh, and a savior (a prototype of Christ) for all of Israel. True, it was God's grace and destiny for Joseph to ascend to this position. But Joseph had to cooperate in fulfilling that destiny by having the right spirit and attitude-one of excellence in service that continually brings only honor and glory to God.

So think about the work that you have been given to do, the service you've been called to render. Take an attitude check. Are you walking in excellence? If not, it's not too late to start. Take your ministry to the Lord in prayer and ask His help in carrying it out, leaning on His Spirit and using the best of what's in you. Then watch and see the pathways that He opens up in your life.