“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” – Philippians 3:12-15 ESV
There is no beating around the bush with this one. In fact, I’m going to come right out and ask you. Are you seeking excellence in your life due to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? Are you pressing towards the goal to win the prize? Or you hoping to just sneak by unnoticed?
I’ve been in both places before. I have muddled through life simply checking the boxes. Check! I went to church. Check! I prayed with my kid before bed. Check! I read a devotional online. Check! Check! Check!
Dude! Does that sound like a relationship or a fulfillment of a regulatory contract? This Boholistic Momma doesn’t like to be fake, inauthentic, or insincere. When I live like I’m checking off a list, I’m not giving my best to Christ and I’m not being the person that I was created to be.
I am created in the image of God. He made me to reflect Him.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
Seeking excellence means unveiling our faces to the glory of God and seeing his reflection transform our lives and the lives of those around us. There is nothing mediocre about God’s glory. When we see it, when we embrace it, and when we desire nothing but the pursuit of God and the winning of the prize, excellence happens. We don’t just arrive one day, finished. There’s no spiritual retirement or soul couch surfing. If we are Christ followers, if we are ambassadors of the Most High God, then we LIVE it. We walk in the Spirit daily. Excellence is a product of a life devoted and surrendered to the eternal God of Heaven and Earth. Want to seek excellence? Seek the Maker of the Universe.
If you are living in mediocrity, if you are squeaking by, if you are just making it through each day, then you need to get on your knees before God and seek His face. Repent! He didn’t call you to be mediocre! He says in Matthew 4:19, “Follow me!” Let me tell you, it is IMPOSSIBLE to follow Jesus half way. It is IMPOSSIBLE to follow Jesus into mediocrity. He isn’t there!
In Revelations 3:15-19, God says, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
We can’t be lukewarm with God! He wants to make us rich in Him, He wants to cloth us in redemption, and He wants us to see His glory. HE LOVES US!!!
I challenge you this day to renounce the mediocrity that comes from seeking this world instead of seeking God’s face. I challenge you to not accept second best and rather seek God for everything He has that is good. He wants good for your life. He has AMAZING plans for you. Don’t stop seeking his face until you’ve met with Him face-to-face. He’ll meet you. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
Seek excellence. Seek God with 100% of your heart, strength, mind, and soul today.