How are you? It’s a simple question that we will hear, if not say ourselves, multiple times every day. But how do you respond? Are you one of those who respond with I’m ok? I believe that OK is just a copout on a bigger reality. I believe we’re never supposed to be just OK.
If you know me well, chances are you’ve asked me that typical question that no one really cares to even hear the answer to – How are you? And if you’ve asked me that question, then you’ve likely heard my reply. I would say that nine times out of ten the answer is great! or excellent or even It shouldn’t be legal to be this good!
Those aren’t arrogant remarks nor are they comments of a disillusioned nutcase! They are real. I believe that they are even encouraged by scripture. Ok so that last one might be a bit of a stretch but hear me out.
In a recent bible study with some of the ladies from church we were looking at Philippians 1. Nestled in Paul’s words to these churched folks was a statement that is often overlooked – approve what is excellent. Notice he didn’t say approve what is ok or good or beneficial but what is excellent.
I believe that we settle for less than excellent all too often. I believe that we just assume that life will deal us a bad day so we just need to roll with it. But what if we really expected excellent in every area of our lives? What if we really believed that God was in the business of giving us excellent things?
Sure we believe, teach and confess that God gives us the gift of heaven and forgiveness. But what about the gifts I need on a Wednesday afternoon and I have nothing left in the tank? Does God give good gifts on Monday morning when I really don’t want to be at work but have to or else I’ll be fired?
Maybe you’ve heard the statement good is the enemy of great. It’s the truth, probably more than you realize. If you and I settle for good, we’ll never reach the life that God really wants for us. We’ll never find the life that is really life that is talked about in the gospel of John. Good is just ok, but excellent is the stuff to which we strive. Excellent is the thing God wants for us. It’s what he has in store for us.
The point is you’ll find what you’re looking for just about every time. Take time to approve what is excellent. Take time to look for the good and pursue those things. Set out on the task of putting your stamp of approval on the things in your life that are excellent. God never wanted us to be ok or just good. He desires nothing less than the best!
So how are you? I pray you are excellent!
I kind of thought that Christ died for me, knowing that I am far from excellent. Are you saying that I have to do something to earn that salvation?
Not at all actually. I totally agree that Christ did it all for me and should be all the more reason why I strive for excellent. Not excellent to earn something but excellent because of the perfect salvation Christ has given me. Our excellent is only an outflow or result of Christ’s perfection in me. Great question and sorry that wasn’t clear enough in the post.