Excellence Beyond Recognition
Devotional week 47
“Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.” — Daniel 6:3 (NLT)
For most of my career, I believed that my work was a reflection of my character and capabilities, and that if I worked hard enough, my excellence would speak for itself. I took pride in being dependable, diligent, and thorough. But over time, I realized that the more I did, the more was expected. I became the person everyone turned to for the tasks no one else wanted, often taking on too much, overcommitting, and burning out — all in the name of excellence.
Unlike Daniel, whose excellence was recognized by the king, our modern workplaces do not always reward diligence or faithfulness. Many of us are the trusted ones, but not always the celebrated ones.
A few years ago, God gave me what I now call a “forced sabbatical.” What was meant to be six months turned into eighteen. As a single-income household, I had many tearful conversations with God when no new doors opened. But in that quiet season, He helped me detach my identity from my work and re-anchor it in Him. I had to relearn what excellence looks like through God’s eyes, not performance, but faithfulness.
Today, I still wrestle with boundaries, expectations, and the desire to be seen. But I’ve learned that true excellence is not about being flawless. It is about working with purpose and integrity, knowing that my diligence reflects the God I serve. Every task, no matter how small, becomes an opportunity to testify to His goodness.
When we work with a spirit of excellence, we are not striving for human approval, we are revealing God’s character through our dedication. That’s what Daniel did, and that’s what we are called to do in our own workplaces and studies.
Challenge
Where might God be calling you to show excellence as an act of worship today?
Prayer
Lord, help me to pursue excellence not for my own recognition, but to reflect Your glory. Let my work, attitude, and dedication testify of Your faithfulness. Amen.