According to the Wikipedia the word “Excellence“ is the state or quality of excelling. Particularly in the field of business and organizations, excellence is considered to be an important value, and a goal to be pursued.
Excellence is derived from the Latin word excellentia.
In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to ones full potential. Arete in ancient Greek culture was courage and strength in the face of adversity and it was to what all people aspired.
In the writings of Paul in the Bible, specifically in Philippians 4:8, we encounter the following passage:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence (arete), if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
This verse prompts us to reconsider the way we communicate with ourselves. The thoughts we entertain and our interpretations of the events unfolding around us contribute significantly to the inner turmoil that often characterizes our lives. It emphasizes the need for intentional control over our thoughts, as failure to do so may result in them dictating our actions. Paul advises us to be purposeful in directing our minds.
The passage highlights the power of choice in our responses to circumstances. We possess the ability to perceive situations as obstacles or challenges, view them as problems or opportunities, and concentrate on our limitations or on God’s abundant sufficiency. It underscores the importance of consciously choosing our perspective and regularly reminding ourselves of this capability.
The quest for excellence fuels our fire and keeps us from drifting downstream gathering debris. To continue to reach for the “Mark” keeps us from becoming entangled with all the things in life that will attempt to drag us down. It is clear to me from a Biblical stand point that God wants His people to abound or excel in both what they are (inward character) and in what they do (behavior or good deeds). Here are some examples from the Bible that clearly interrupt this:
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might;
- Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound (i.e., excel) still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you—make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound (excel) in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, 3:13 so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:10 for indeed you do practice it (love) toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.
Pursuing Excellence is not a Quest for Superiority.
In The American Heritage Dictionary, excellence is defined as “The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority. The word excel is defined as, “to do or be better than; surpass; to show superiority, surpass others.” Then under the word excel, the following terms are listed and explained as synonyms for excel.
The words excel, surpass, exceed, transcend, outdo, outstrip all suggest the concept of going beyond a limit or standard. To excel is to be preeminent (excels at figure skating) or to be or perform at a level higher than that of another or others (excelled her father as a lawyer). To surpass another is to be superior in performance, quality, or degree: is surpassed by few as a debater; happiness that surpassed description. Exceed can refer to being superior, as in quality (an invention that exceeds all others in ingenuity), to being greater than another, as in degree or quantity (a salary exceeding 50 thousand dollars a year), and to going beyond a proper limit (exceed one’s authority; exceed a speed limit). Transcend often implies the attainment of a level so high that comparison is hardly possible: Great art transcends mere rules of composition. To outdo is to excel in doing or performing: didn’t want to be outdone in generosity. Outstrip is often interchangeable with outdo but strongly suggests leaving another behind, as in a contest: It is a case of the student outstripping the teacher.
The journey towards achieving excellence demands unwavering effort and persistence, manifesting in various forms such as research, study, time investment, hard work, meticulous planning, and creative brainstorming. It often involves swimming against the current and navigating through challenging circumstances. This pursuit can be physically and mentally draining, leading to moments where the desire to give up becomes pronounced. Therefore, recognizing our own limitations and imperfections, the pursuit of excellence in our daily tasks or special projects becomes an ongoing commitment.
This mindset aligns with the attitude and actions of the apostle Paul. Devoted entirely to fulfilling God’s purpose for his life, Paul dedicated himself wholeheartedly to becoming the person God intended him to be, especially in the mission of guiding others to spiritual maturity in Christ. Importantly, he achieved this not solely through his own strength but through the enablement provided by God.
Reach for that high “Mark of Excellence” in all you do. Others are watching. Do not want to be a carbon copy of what is already out there just for the sake of a thing. Stretch and make what you do last for days to come. Reach for a higher place and shine. Give the world the best that you can offer. And make those looking crave the desire to grow and reach for that mark of excellence along beside of you.
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