“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”
– George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
If you’ve ever spent time at my apartment, you’ll know that Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic are three of my favorite channels. I figure I might as well learn something while watching TV. I’m not really sure what I learn from watching the lions attack the buffalo heard for the 100th time, but it’s still better than soap operas.
One show I like to watch is American Chopper. It is sort of a reality show, based on the work of the Orange County Chopper garage. They explain their project at the beginning of each show. After an hour you get to see the finished product—a custom made motorcycle. Part of the show’s entertainment comes from watching father, son and son argue over how to make the motorcycle. I’m particularly thankful for TV censorship; since the explicatives are abundant during their arguments (lots of words get “bleeped” out).
Here’s what I find particularly interesting about these guys at OCC: they are basically fabricators, designers, mechanics and motorcycle enthusiasts (nothing particularly glorious about these titles). I doubt that they ever planned to be famous, yet they have their own TV show. They even have their own video game I hear. It is normal for them to meet professional athletes, celebrities, CEO’s, and the like. How does this happen?
The answer is this: EXCELLENCE. They’ve established a reputation for excellence in what they do. Their work has become world renown.
Proverbs has something to say about this subject:
Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
–Proverbs 22:29
I imagine that King Solomon wrote this because he had personally experienced it. Solomon’s building projects are famous until this day. Those who were highly skilled had the honor of working for him—perhaps even meeting him personally.
As this New Year begins, let’s strive for excellence in all that we do. You never know just where your skills might take you if you do your best and pursue excellence. Perhaps you too will stand before kings!
This is not actually a comment, although i have been reading most of the devotional thoughts you’ve posted in this wedsite and i must say i liked them not because they are devo’s but because the way it was written was combined with a day to day basis of life… SOmething that is common yet meaningful for everybody…
About this excellence thing. I wanted to ask how can we know that we are doing what is excellent? How can we determine that we are doing what is excellent for HIM. Not being perfectionist but just pure excellence for the King of Kings? How can we measure the difference between excellence from perfectionism???
OK, my first reply vanished when I tried to publish it. I’ll try again.
Even in excellence, there is room for improvement. For me it is a matter of doing my best. I think we usually know if we’ve done our best–if we’ve taken the time to prepare, etc.
Perfectionism is trying to make everything perfect. We simply don’t have the energy to make every part of our lives perfect. Perfectionism can actually keep us from being excellent.
If you try to keep your apartment 100% spotless, for example, it may drain your energy that you should be spending on studies or your profession.
Hope this makes sense 🙂
this is the very verse i typed at the introduction of my thesis (thesis as a requirement for college graduation… 10 years ago!) the same verse that God typed in my heart as i continue my call and career.
Christians should walk no less than God’s standard – excellence. i have once had this in my devotionals too and it’s a freaky concept or stuff if we wish to achieve it on our own.
It’s only by God’s spirit. Not by our power. Not by our might.
i just subscribed recently at this blog site and im so blessed.
glory to God.
Thanks for reading!