Excellence not Perfection

Did you know that we are actually called to be good and faithful servants of what God places in our lives? Let’s explore what it means to strive for excellence, not perfection!

Striving for excellence means pursuing integrity, purpose, and humility for the sake of reflecting God’s glory through us. Excellence brings honor to the One who created us!

Through Solomon—the wisest king in biblical history—we learn that excellence is not about perfection, but about a heart aligned with God’s wisdom and intent. Solomon demonstrated this pursuit through the construction of the temple (1 Kings 6–7). He used the finest materials, skilled workers, and detailed craftsmanship to build a space that honored God’s presence. It took him 13 years to complete! The temple was a reflection of God’s majesty, and Solomon’s excellence was rooted in reverence to God.

The difference between perfection and excellence is defined by the posture of the heart. True excellence acknowledges limitation, whereas perfection often seeks flawlessness, which can lead to pride or burnout. Proverbs 16:3, written by Solomon, reminds us: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” This kind of commitment is the foundation of godly excellence. In many ways, excellence flows from our devotion to God—building on what we learned last month about being driven by devotion.

We are called to work, create, serve, and lead with a mindset of honoring God—reflecting His character. Whether in the workplace, classroom, or at home, striving for excellence means stewarding our gifts and opportunities with diligence, grace, and love.

Excellence becomes worship to our Creator when our motivation is to glorify God above all else!