c 2010 deborah kunzie

According to the Wikipedia the word “Excellence“  is the state or quality of excelling. Particularly in the field of business and organizations, excellence is considered to be an important value, and a goal to be pursued.

Excellence is derived from the Latin word excellentia.

In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to ones full potential. Arete in ancient Greek culture was courage and strength in the face of adversity and it was to what all people aspired.

We find in Biblical writings of Paul this verse, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence (arete), if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:8. In a sense, this text challenges us in the way we talk to ourselves. What we think about and how we interpret the things that are happening around us create the churning that so often is a part of our living. Our thinking is something we must take charge over. If we don’t, it will control us.  Paul tells us that we need to be intentional about focusing our minds.

We choose the way we respond to our circumstances. We can see everything as a road block or view things as a challenge.  We can see obstacles or opportunities. We can focus on our inability, or God’s great sufficiency. It’s our choice and we need to remind ourselves of this.

The quest for excellence fuels our fire and keeps us from  drifting downstream gathering debris. To continue to reach for the “Mark” keeps us from becoming entangled with all the things in life that will attempt to drag us down.  It is clear to me from a Biblical stand point that God wants His people to abound or excel in both what they are (inward character) and in what they do (behavior or good deeds). Here are some examples from the Bible that clearly interrupt this:

• Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might;

• Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound (i.e., excel) still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

• 2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you—make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.

• 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound (excel) in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, 3:13 so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:10 for indeed you do practice it (love) toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.

Pursuing Excellence is not  a Quest for Superiority.

In The American Heritage Dictionary, excellence is defined as “The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority. The word excel is defined as, “to do or be better than; surpass; to show superiority, surpass others.” Then under the word excel, the following terms are listed and explained as synonyms for excel.

The words excel, surpass, exceed, transcend, outdo, outstrip all suggest the concept of going beyond a limit or standard. To excel is to be preeminent (excels at figure skating) or to be or perform at a level higher than that of another or others (excelled her father as a lawyer). To surpass another is to be superior in performance, quality, or degree: is surpassed by few as a debater; happiness that surpassed description. Exceed can refer to being superior, as in quality (an invention that exceeds all others in ingenuity), to being greater than another, as in degree or quantity (a salary exceeding 50 thousand dollars a year), and to going beyond a proper limit (exceed one’s authority; exceed a speed limit). Transcend often implies the attainment of a level so high that comparison is hardly possible: Great art transcends mere rules of composition. To outdo is to excel in doing or performing: didn’t want to be outdone in generosity. Outstrip is often interchangeable with outdo but strongly suggests leaving another behind, as in a contest: It is a case of the student outstripping the teacher.

The pursuit of excellence will mean hard work and diligence which may take on various forms—research, study, time, sweat, planning, brainstorming for ideas, etc. It may well mean swimming against the stream and sometimes navigating against rocky conditions. It will often be exhausting and bring us up against those times of wanting to quit. Thus, in keeping with our own shortcomings and weaknesses, the pursuit of excellence in the execution of our daily routine or special projects is something that must be pursued.

Such a mentality can be seen in the attitude and actions of the apostle Paul. As one totally committed to God’s purpose for his life, Paul gave his all to be all God wanted him to be in seeking to bring men to maturity in Christ, but he did so by God’s enablement rather than by his own strength.

I reach for that high “Mark of Excellence” in all I do. Others are watching. I do not want to be a carbon copy of what is already out there just for the sake of a thing. I want to  stretch and make what I do last for days to come. In my photography, I want to reach for a higher place and shine. Give the world the best that I can offer. And make those looking crave the desire to grow and reach for that mark of excellence along beside of me.