Today, I want to talk to you about the beauty of striving for excellence, but not necessarily perfection. We can strive to be perfect in ten things: our faith, our relationships, our work ethic, our service to others, our attitude, our thoughts, our words, our actions, our behavior, and our commitment to growth.
First, let’s talk about our faith. We can strive to be perfect in our faith by studying the Bible and spending time praying. We can also be perfect in our faith by believing in the power and grace of God and trusting Him to lead us on the path He has chosen for us. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace, not by works; “For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” We can be perfect in our faith by trusting God for the good and bad times and having faith that He will always be with us.
Second, we can strive to be perfect in our relationships. We can be perfect in our relationships by treating others with respect, kindness, and love. We can be perfect in our relationships by being honest and truthful with each other, and by being willing to forgive when there are misunderstandings or conflicts. Colossians 3:12-14 reminds us of the importance of being kind and compassionate with each other: “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Third, we can strive to be perfect in our work ethic. We can be perfect in our work ethic by being diligent and committed to whatever task we are given. We must strive to work hard and give our best effort no matter what the task is. Proverbs 22:29 says “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” Being perfect in our work ethic means being consistent and dedicated to excellence.
These are just three of the ten things we can strive to be perfect in. We can also strive to be perfect in our service to others, our attitude, our thoughts, our words, our actions, our behavior, and our commitment to growth. As we strive for excellence in these areas, let us remember the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Let us strive for excellence today, so that we may one day achieve perfection!
Remember, perfection is not a destination; it is a journey. Let's take that journey together!
My Daily Devotional by Reverend Danny Rhoades