I begin most days in the quiet of my study, a room in our floor plan that's a "living" room that never got lived in. So we repositioned it you might say. Because I'm such an early morning creature, and the rest of my family is not, I get the luxury of some uninterrupted quiet time. Most days I start with reading a devotional, and for about the last year, that's been "The Word for You Today".
Today's piece, Are you striving for excellence? stopped me. Normally, I'll read the message, reflect on it some (or none), and then move on to whatever book that's in the rotation (come to the study and you'll see the beginnings of a decent library). It stopped me because it challenged me.
The message differentiates between success and excellence. Another reason I'm engaged with today's devotional is that my pastor is 2 parts into a 3 part sermon called "How to be rich". He's challenged us to accept the fact that as Americans we're already richer than 99% of the world's population. But because we compare ourselves to those around us, we don't feel rich.
From "The Word" there's a quote from a psychology professor named Jon Johnston where he points out the difference between mere success and excellence: "Success bases our worth on a comparison with others, excellence measures us against our own potential. Success grants its rewards to the few but is the dream of the multitudes. Excellence is available to all living beings , but is accepted only by the few".
OK, so let's say we accept this platitude, and we want to pursue excellence. Excellence in what? That's the million dollar question. I bet I spend 10 times as much time as the average person thinking about this kinda stuff, so you'd think I'd have more clarity. Actually I'll admit I do have some clarity with the issue.
The fact that I felt lead to record my thoughts on the matter, reveals my desire to write; and in that discipline, I need to pursue excellence. Writing classes, books on writing, writers clubs, blogging (daily practice) are some of the options for an aspiring writer. Every field of endeavor has its biology - the requisite components that constitue a living organism. I need to seek more of those writing components.
I don't know much but here's my two cents on pursuing excellence:
It doesn't involve money. Admit it Americans - we've already got plenty of it. Thanks Randy for reminding me.
It does involve God. He made me for a purpose. Problem is he didn't send me an email with the subject line "Your pursuit of excellence". He did send a spirit that will lead me when I listen.

