Seven times in Genesis 1 we are told God looked at what He created and called it “good.” “Every one of God’s creative acts was perfect, complete, pleasing, satisfying” (The Wycliffe Bible Commentary). This was the environment God wanted us to live in. He knew we would thrive in it.
In Mark 7:37 the crowds, as they observed Jesus, “were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well’.”
There is something very Godlike in doing things well and excellently. When God implanted the divine nature in us (II Peter 1:4) the DNA of doing things well was embedded in us. It is something we need to pursue living out. Yet there comes a point when striving for excellence becomes distorted and toxic.
- Striving for excellence becomes toxic to my soul when I see it as the standard I must attain for God’s acceptance and love. This is when I need to remind myself of Brennan Manning’s life message, “God loves me just as I am, not as I should be.”
- Excellence becomes a poison in my relationships when it becomes my criteria for accepting and loving you. I need to remember to love you just as God loves me…just as you are, not as you should be.
- Excellence is a useless antidote when I use it to cover my shame. Striving for a flawless exterior does not remedy the mess I see inside myself. Only a redemptive act can deal with my shame.
I’m curious – how would you add to this list? Post a comment or connect with me via email.
Good stuff. I’ll need to meditate on those.
I have nothing to add really, but my thoughts went to this (which might just be a restatement of the third):
Excellence becomes toxic when it becomes my method to achieve the love, recognition, status, power, control, etc. I crave instead of trusting that in Christ I already have all I need (what I think the other things will provide).
Steve – I like your addition as it clarifies the concept of shame and how I try to resolve it without a redemptive act.
Well said, Bill! This post encouraged me greatly this morning. I’ll add to the second point. Striving for excellence becomes a poison to others when my competitive spirit is greater than my heart for God and others. Competition can be good for us, but not if it takes priority over relationships.
Dennis – I like your addition a lot. Competition says that I am number one, and you are number two. I think love may say the opposite; I want to lift you up.
Good post, Bill.
Luke 6:45J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
43-45 “It is impossible for a good tree to produce bad fruit—as impossible as it is for a bad tree to produce good fruit. Do not men know what a tree is by its fruit? You cannot pick figs from briars, or gather a bunch of grapes from a blackberry bush! A good man produces good things from the good stored up in his heart, and a bad man produce evil things from his own stores of evil. For a man’s words will always express what has been treasured in his heart.”
Sometimes excellence is a standard of perfection that leads to a “rating system.” When I give a grade of A or B or C what I am doing is rating the competency in too fine detail. Our culture is based on meritocracy. The excellent law student is worthy of the highest salary in the most prestigious law firm. But does such a system work in a moral area? MIT grads are good and they get only pass or fail grades.
In “It’s a Wonderful Life” George did the right thing, the good thing. He could have given up and jumped into the river. Bad for everyone in the story. He only needed to see 2 alternatives bad and good. Not excellence. And he didn’t have to reach for perfection, just do the right thing.
I am reminded of the poor widow who was good and gave out of her meager means a mite and was counted righteous. The Pharisee just wanted to have the most excellent reputation in front of men. His tithe of spices only helped his own ego; the almighty was not impressed at all.
Also the tax collector only had to admit he was a sinner and beg for mercy. The Pharisee wanted to have the award of “the most excellent and righteous man in this region.” He “thanked” God for being better, more excellent in virtue, than all others His ranking system put him at the top because of superior performance of duty. But God just looked for the grace of humility, which needs no comparative rating system at all.
Ultimately our greatest accomplishment will be to attain the status of “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We won’t be asking why we don’t get a crown with a lot more jewels in it for all the excellent achievements we did. We will be filled with joy and peace, simply to be with Him.
Brent!
Thanks for your thoughtful response – it is great to have you part of the discussion and the blog family. Upcoming will be a discussion of perfectionism vs. excellence. You could help me by beginning to think of the differences. Thanks. -bill