Excellence has the power to transform a Christian's life

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (Daniel 1:20 NIV)

As a young skincare therapist, I was passionate about my work and always aimed to provide the best possible service to my clients. I was fortunate to have received training from a reputable school, which helped me develop my skills and build a strong foundation in the field. As a result, my calendar was always booked months in advance, which was a testament to the quality of service I provided.

All the attention I was receiving gave me a false sense of self. I became arrogant and stopped listening to reason. One day, my employer called me into her office and gave me the first and only written warning of my entire life. She told me that she had noticed an inconsistency in my work. Although I was always professional and on time, they couldn't see any obvious problems, BUT something was missing, and I had to figure it out.

At first, I thought she was at fault and that the problem was with her, not me. However, after receiving a written warning, I realized I needed to act. Being a single mom without any income is not something I was looking forward to.

The embarrassment of my employer having to talk to me and giving me a written warning was enough of a wake-up call. I started practicing and double-checking all of my work to ensure accuracy. I became obsessed with any task until I achieved perfection. Because of this obsession, I have extended my hours for many years and booked fewer clients. A treatment that should take an hour now takes two. My personal life started to buckle under the pressure, and I was so tired that I could not stay awake long enough to work a full day and care for my little one.

I am grateful to belong to a church that emphasizes allowing Jesus to help us grow and reflect more of Him in our lives. One time, a lady came and taught us the distinction between Perfectionism and Excellence. Although I only recall some of the scriptures she used during the four-hour lesson, I do remember one thing.

Perfection is impossible to reach. You can do anything you can and will still find fault, but excellence is achievable! Excellence is when you know you did your absolute best and still take one step back, look at the work again, and fix what you can with the tools or ability you have in the time allocated. Then, you hand it back to God to use for His glory.

See, these wise words not only set me free but also changed my path. You cannot present anything less than your best to the King of Kings. Therefore, you know you will truly do your best. And secondly, you are not doing it for yourself, but for Him to use as He pleases. So, it does not matter if it's perfect or not. God can use it in His infinite wisdom.

Over the past two decades, I have discovered that true excellence comes from seeking divine wisdom. By doing so, I have been able to surpass my abilities and achieve success beyond my wildest dreams. I am grateful for the many opportunities that have come my way, and I am humbled by the recognition I have received for my work.

Challenge

Take a moment to consider if you are giving your best to God at all times. Perhaps you are living a mediocre life, doing only what is necessary without any obvious faults. Or, maybe you are working tirelessly to achieve perfection and missing out on the joy that God wants you to experience in life.

Prayer

Ask God to show you where you should step up your game or where you should let go.