A question came in to mind when I was asked to share my thoughts on being a man of excellence: "Is there any difference between an 'excellent man' and a 'man of excellence'?"
A lot would say that Manny Pacquiao is an excellent fighter or Kobe Bryant is an excellent basketball player, but to say that someone is a man of excellence is a different thing.
"A man of excellence is someone whose very being and essence is of excellence," said a friend of mine when I posed the question to everyone. Personally, more than just being excellent in an aspect, a man of excellence strives to being his best in all aspects of his life. Many would react to this pointing out how we only have a limited capacity to do things and instead just propose something to the effect of striking a balance in all areas of life. "It's not so much as striking a balance but really
being your best in all of these areas as much as possible," said a mentor of mine.
But all this talk stems from the usual definition of excellence in this world as being the best, being superior and surpassing standards of measure as compared to others - being
the best, so to speak.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17)
If all the things that we do are for the Lord and His glory, then it is but fitting that we do all our endeavors with all of our capacity - our heart, our mind and our soul (Mt 22:37). This is pursuing the good.
However, I would like to stretch excellence further to be more than just pursuing the good. Doing the good versus the bad is a no-brainer. Pursuing the good that would give the greater glory of God - that is the more challenging task for the man seriously following the Lord. The moment one notices oneself thinking at any time on what
more one can do for the Lord or thinking what can give
greater glory to the Lord, then, friends, that is already treading the path of becoming a man of excellence.
