Excellence and perfection are not the same things. Perfectionism is feeling that nothing you do is or over will be good enough to please. It is often the result of living with parents who were controlling, critical, or set extremely high standards. Perhaps you grew up in a home with over-demanding parents and, consequently, felt that you never quite measured up to their expectations. Now, subconsciously as an adult, you are probably desperately trying to win the approval of others by striving to be perfect. David Seamands, in his book, Healing For Damaged Emotions, says that, “Perfectionism is a counterfeit for Christian perfection…Instead of making us whole persons in Christ-perfectionism leaves us spiritual Pharisees and emotional neurotics. Perfectionism is the most disturbing emotional problem among evangelical Christians.”
Excellence, on the other hand, is doing your very best at whatever God has called you to do. Excellence, unlike perfection, gives us the freedom to fail and learn from our mistakes. Ecclesiastes 9:10 states, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” Paul echoes this thought in Colossians 3:23 when he says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” What is your passion? What are you good at? Strive for excellence by discovering the inborn gifts, talents, and skills God has given each one of you! (In my next blog I will teach on the seven motivational gifts found in Romans 12:6-8).
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…” 2 Corinthians 4:7
I didn’t realize just how influential my father was until the evening before his funeral. The numbers of people who came out to the funeral home to pay their respects overwhelmed me. While my father had always been a hero to me, I recognized then that his influence had far greater scope.
Can you think of one person whose life is changed because of you? God desires to mold you
into a vessel of influence for Him, but you must do your part. My father didn’t have a big paying job, a lot of material belongings, or even a college degree. But there were some qualities about my dad that stood out. Here are three of them:
1. A Good Reputation
My dad had a good reputation in his community, church, workplace, and family. He was dependable, trustworthy, fair, kind, and had a good work ethic. Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is more desirable that great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” In other words, a good name should be sought after like some seek after money and material possessions. A good reputation can bring many things, but it will always bring influence.
2. Strong Convictions
A conviction is a strong belief. Gary Smalley says that, “The stronger our convictions, the greater our influence on the people around us.” My father stood up for what he believed in. Do the people you come into contact with know what your Christian beliefs are?
3. Honesty
A rancher I was sitting next to on an airplane shared with me that his business partner had just embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from their company. Then he said something I will never forget. He said, “I should have known, because I knew he was cheating on his wife.” If we are dishonest in one area, we will be dishonest in other areas.
What is standing in the way of your becoming a vessel of influence? Fortunately, a person of influence doesn’t need to be wealthy, have a big salaried career, or hold a masters degree. All one needs is the desire and the discipline to be molded into God’s chosen vessel.
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