Pour Your Best into Every Moment

Daily Devotional

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

My husband always says to our nine year old that whatever he does, he should do it with excellence. Our son generally rushes to do things so that he can watch a youtube video or play video games. However, since my husband has had that conversation with him repeatedly, we have seen him making changes in the right direction.

Excellence is one of the most aspired characteristic concepts, yet it is arguably one of the hardest ideals to achieve.

‘Excellent’ is an adjective, something or someone can be excellent, but it suggests a singularity of the event. Particular ideas or actions can be excellent, but does it extend to more than just one time? Can a student write an excellent paper without being an excellent student? Of course. Maybe it was a topic they were passionate about. However, an excellent student will consistently perform well. Similarly, athletes can have outstanding performances, but the best athletes are those who consistently perform to the highest level.

‘Excellence’ is a noun. It’s something that, with great difficulty, can be achieved. Excellence is no longer being described as something, but rather being something. Excellence is the state of being excellent, something achieved once consistent performance has proven worthy of this recognition. It’s no longer an occurrence but a level attained. Excellence is distinctive with high merit. 

All you have is this moment. You do not control the outcome; the only thing you are in control of is your effort. Pour your best effort into every moment. That way you will never have any regrets. The result may disappoint, but you can take comfort in the fact that you would have given your best.

One thing that distinguished Abel from Cain, is that Abel gave his best (the fatling) and God was pleased with his offering. Joseph was wrongfully placed in prison, but even there he gave his best and was placed over the other prisoners and then later over all Egypt. Pouring your best in every moment will win you favour with God and men.

Life Application: Even amidst disappointments give your best in every moment.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are a God of excellence and you ensure that everything that you do is excellent. I pray that you will give me the spirit of excellence in every area of my life. Help me to want to do my best in all that I do. Help me to mirror your word and example. In Jesus name, amen.