My college football team (Ole Miss, for those who don’t know) won against Nick Saban’s teams only three times. Their overall record against Nick Saban, including his time at LSU and Alabama, was three wins to nineteen losses. So when he decided to retire at the end of the 2023 season, I wasn’t exactly sad to see him go.
However, something that impressed me about his coaching is what’s come to be known as “the process.” The excellence he required of himself, his staff, and his players, regardless of the situation or score, is what made him and his teams great. He established a standard, and everyone was accountable to the standard, whether they were on the practice field, up three scores in a game, or down three scores in a game.
As Christians, we ought to hold ourselves to a “standard of excellence” for the glory of God. Paul reminded the church at Colosse:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily (with enthusiasm), as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
As those who serve the Lord Christ, shouldn’t we hold ourselves to the highest standard in “whatever we do?”
Now, striving for excellence is not about drawing attention to ourselves; it’s about bringing glory to God (Matthew 5:16). It’s not about earning our salvation or inheritance from God; it’s about living as a sacrifice for Him because of what He’s done for us (Romans 12:1-2).
* Students: you should be the best student you can possibly be because you are doing that “as to the Lord and not for people.”
* Teachers: you should be the best teacher you can possibly be because you are doing that “as to the Lord and not for people.”
* Parents: you should be the best parent you can possibly be because you are doing that “as to the Lord and not for people.”
Whatever we are doing, whatever role we’re in, we are called to put everything we have into doing it, because we are the Lord’s people and we serve Him. Isn’t our Lord Jesus Christ worthy of the very best we have to offer Him?
The Proverbs writer pointed out a benefit of the one who strives for excellence:
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown (obscure) men” (Proverbs 22:29).
As Christians, we don’t just stand before any king; we stand in the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Excellence in our lives doesn’t happen by accident; it’s a daily choice. Let’s choose again today, and every day, to give our very best to the One who gave, and continues to give, His best for us.
