Serving With Excellence
The Christian Professional Journal is here to offer faith-based insights and encouragement to help you navigate work and life with purpose. Together, we’ll explore how to keep Faith First, Excellence Always, as we grow and walk boldly in God’s calling.
Have you ever felt certain you were done with a task, a project, a chapter, a calling, only to sense the Lord whisper, “Wait… you’re not finished yet”?
Maybe you were nearly ready to hand in a report, launch an idea, submit a proposal. Then something happened: a delay or an insight that made you pause. You asked, “Lord, why?” And His answer came, sometimes gently, sometimes through wise counsel: “Because there’s more work to do. Do it well. Do it as unto Me.”
Serving with excellence is about letting God shape us until the offering in our hands reflects His heart.
Biblical Pictures of the “Extra”
The Scriptures are rich with examples of people who went beyond what was required:
The woman with the alabaster flask poured out costly perfume on Jesus’ feet (Matthew 26:6–13; Luke 7:36–50). Others saw waste; Jesus saw extravagant devotion. Her act of “more than necessary” became a memorial of love.
Peter, by the Sea of Galilee, heard Jesus ask three times, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17). With every answer, Jesus called him deeper, from words to shepherding action, from sentiment to steadfast care for His flock.
Paul faced beatings, imprisonments, and rejection (2 Corinthians 11:23–28), yet the Holy Spirit strengthened him to keep going. He pressed forward to finish the race, knowing the crown of righteousness awaited (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
All of them show that devotion is rarely “one and done.” God often invites us to stretch, refine, and give from a purer place.
What’s in Our Control
Life will always contain factors beyond our reach: approvals, timing, others’ responses, unforeseen obstacles. But Scripture reminds us of what is in our hands:
Our attitude — “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23)
Our diligence — “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings.” (Proverbs 22:29)
Our response to feedback — “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” (Proverbs 19:20)
Our perseverance — “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
These are places where excellence is forged: a willing heart, steady hands, teachability, and endurance.
Reflection Questions
Where in your current assignments might God be inviting you to pause, refine, or improve before calling it finished?
How do you usually respond when feedback or obstacles challenge your “almost done”?
What does serving “as unto the Lord” look like in your home, workplace, or ministry this week?
Practical Actions
Pray for clarity each time you sense a project nearing completion: ask the Lord if more shaping is needed.
Seek trusted voices who speak truth with grace; sometimes excellence is revealed through wise critique.
Revisit your work with fresh eyes, asking: Does this reflect integrity, devotion, and love for the One I serve?
Release the outcome once you’ve done your best; trust God with timing and results.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that You care about how I serve You. Teach me to work with diligence and grace. Help me know when to press on and when to rest, when to refine and when to release. May every offering from my hands honor You and draw others to Your heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Keep Running With Excellence
Maybe you’re standing at the edge of “almost finished.” Take courage: if God says pause, it’s because He’s perfecting something beautiful in you and through you. And when it’s truly done, He’ll give you peace.
If you’d like encouragement to persevere with clarity, to finish well and recognize the subtle distractions that keep us from wholehearted living, I invite you to read Sin the Great Joker. It’s about how God shapes us in the hidden miles through authentic faith, so that when the time is right, we can stand firm in His truth. → Get Your Copy Here
And if you’d like to support further… if you’ve loved the message in the book, please leave a heartfelt and meaningful review on Amazon. Your words might lead someone else to learn more about Jesus.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Help Spread the Word
Share with Friends, give the Gift of Faith and if you loved the book, please consider giving it a heartfelt and thoughtful review. Your feedback helps others discover the book and its message of hope and faith. www.sinthegreatjoker.com
Praying His peace and blessings abound in your life.
