On Excellence

Excellence is a subject never far from my thoughts, but it’s a higher priority one at the moment due to the Gospel and Work seminar I attended on Saturday and the excellence module I’m studying in The Austin Stone Worship Foundations course. I’m still pondering what to say about the subject–I’ve written about it previously and need to figure out a new angle–but I won’t leave people bereft of anything. I’ll share some of the thoughts found in my REAP journal, as well as some handlettering.

“Excellence begins with a heart that has been overwhelmed by the Spirit of God.” – Aaron Ivey

I can’t recommend Ivey’s teaching on excellence enough. I always learn something new, and I’ve probably heard his talk at least three times by now. I’ll likely listen to it again at some point; it’s that good. Ivey walks through biblical excellence via Bezalel, a man that God fills with “wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all craftsmanship.”
  

Another quote from Ivey: “Master craftsmen do not dabble. They work every day to hone their skills.”

I’ve since continued my study of excellence by rereading Bezalel’s story and visiting one of my favorite women from the Bible, Ruth. She is described as a “woman of excellence,” which got me thinking…

“What makes Ruth a woman of excellence?”

I think it has to do with her fear of the Lord and her careful care of Naomi. I also think excellence shines through how she gleans in the field and her ability to surrender her own desires in the pursuit of something far better and greater.

With that said, a smattering of thoughts:

Excellence shines. It’s attractive and winsome. People notice it, too. Boaz tells Ruth he will do for her whatever she asks because she is known by all the people as a woman of excellence. The same is said of the excellent wife in Proverbs 31 and of the man “skilled in his work” in Proverbs 22:29.

Excellence creates opportunities to proclaim who God is and what he’s done.

Excellence demands diligence. It is a quality of the good steward who does not need to be ashamed but is instead faithful to cultivate the talents, gifts, and skills God has given him or her.

Excellence is for God and others.