Excellence = eternity
The book of Ecclesiastes is an interesting read! If you can set aside an hour or two, take the time to read it through. Written by the wisest person known to mankind bar Jesus, King Solomon, it contains a reflective summary of this thing called life.
After living a full life and having anything and everything he desired, he concluded that much of life is but a waste of time. Wow. That’s inspiring - not! Yet when you think about it, many people live to work and work to live…and that’s not living…that’s existence.
What I felt was missing in the vast majority of Solomon’s summary was something I like to call an eternal perspective.
“Without an eternal perspective, we don’t live - we simply exist.”
Thankfully, Solomon came to a superb conclusion at the end of his book - fear God and keep His commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This is awesome! Why? Read on!
Fearing (respecting, honouring, obeying, giving our best and reverence to) God and obeying Him comes with superb blessing and wonderful contentment, knowing that what you do matters…for God and for eternity. Eternal perspective.
Paul wrote in Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
To this end, it’s important that whatever we do, we do it well; we do it with excellence. Not that it may be seen by people - because we don’t do this thing called ‘life’ for the approval of men - but for God who sees all and rewards all according all all that we have done (check out Matthew 6 - amazing chapter).
What does this look like in the day to day?
Attention to detail.
Do it once and do it well. You know, measure twice, cut once kind of stuff.
Clean the sink when you’ve finished doing the dishes.
Push your chair in.
Pick up that bit of paper instead of walking over it.
Give your kids a smile even when you’re tired.
Clean the bathroom mirror.
Going over and above because He did it all for us.
Let us be known as people who do an excellent job. Why? Because we are like our Dad, our Heavenly Father.
Remember, Solomon came to a superb conclusion at the end of his book - fear God and keep His commands. Now that’s a great way to live.