Think about what is excellent and pursue it. In his letter to the Phillippians, Paul encourages the people to focus on things of virtue for the benefit of God’s peace. To be excellent is to be extremely good or outstanding; these are the qualities found in the Kingdom of God.

Excellence is not to be confused with being perfect. Perfection is unattainable, finite, and flawless. Perfection doesn’t allow any space for faults, whereas excellence recognizes brokenness and chooses to pursue what is good. Often, we believe we must be harsh and claw our way onto the pedestal that is perfection. But as Paul encourages, when we release these expectations and fix our eyes instead on the fruit of the Spirit, we experience God’s peace. While perfection may not be fully achievable, excellence is a posture that guides us towards qualities of the Spirit who embodies perfection. But, what does a life modeled after excellence look like?

The book of Genesis offers a prime example of what it means to live one’s life in pursuit of excellence in the story of Joseph. As the long-promised son to Jacob and Rachel, Joseph was the favorite son of his father leading to bitterness and resentment from his brothers. Joseph was also blessed with the gift of receiving and interpreting dreams and prophecies. So, when God revealed to Joseph that he would one day rule over his brothers, Joseph had a purpose and vision for his life and his brothers had more reason to hate him. As Joseph pursued excellence, his life circumstances fluctuate drastically—one moment he was being sold into slavery, and the next he was running a wealthy Egyptian household, only to be thrown in prison for years and then finally be placed in a position of favor by the Pharaoh. Despite each of his circumstances, Joseph was found to be a man who committed himself to honoring and glorifying God in all things.

In the face of so much upheaval and injustice, one might have expected Joseph to turn away from God out of bitterness or mistrust. Instead, his posture was to continue to focus on what was true, honorable, just, and pure knowing that it was God’s best for him. Joseph’s hope sustained his excellence.

We too can find assurance in the peace of God and the hope of the Kingdom. Joseph is an example of what it looks like to pursue excellence in times of trial and times of favor. The consistency of Joseph’s commitment to what is good models Paul’s charge to the Phillippians. This posture of excellence remains a calling upon our lives.

How might we better pursue excellence? When we fill our minds with what is extremely good— honor, truth, justice, loveliness—our lives reflect the excellence of God. What we orient ourselves to will direct our lives. Goodness and excellence can serve as a guide map pointing toward God’s perfect Kingdom. We may not reach that destination today, but we get closer. The road may be rocky, but we are promised the peace of God, which in every circumstance brings comfort. So, let us be encouraged to pursue what is good.

Think about what is excellent and pursue it. In his letter to the Phillippians, Paul encourages the people to focus on things of virtue for the benefit of God’s peace. To be excellent is to be extremely good or outstanding; these are the qualities found in the Kingdom of God.

Excellence is not to be confused with being perfect. Perfection is unattainable, finite, and flawless. Perfection doesn’t allow any space for faults, whereas excellence recognizes brokenness and chooses to pursue what is good. Often, we believe we must be harsh and claw our way onto the pedestal that is perfection. But as Paul encourages, when we release these expectations and fix our eyes instead on the fruit of the Spirit, we experience God’s peace. While perfection may not be fully achievable, excellence is a posture that guides us towards qualities of the Spirit who embodies perfection. But, what does a life modeled after excellence look like?

The book of Genesis offers a prime example of what it means to live one’s life in pursuit of excellence in the story of Joseph. As the long-promised son to Jacob and Rachel, Joseph was the favorite son of his father leading to bitterness and resentment from his brothers. Joseph was also blessed with the gift of receiving and interpreting dreams and prophecies. So, when God revealed to Joseph that he would one day rule over his brothers, Joseph had a purpose and vision for his life and his brothers had more reason to hate him. As Joseph pursued excellence, his life circumstances fluctuate drastically—one moment he was being sold into slavery, and the next he was running a wealthy Egyptian household, only to be thrown in prison for years and then finally be placed in a position of favor by the Pharaoh. Despite each of his circumstances, Joseph was found to be a man who committed himself to honoring and glorifying God in all things.

In the face of so much upheaval and injustice, one might have expected Joseph to turn away from God out of bitterness or mistrust. Instead, his posture was to continue to focus on what was true, honorable, just, and pure knowing that it was God’s best for him. Joseph’s hope sustained his excellence.

We too can find assurance in the peace of God and the hope of the Kingdom. Joseph is an example of what it looks like to pursue excellence in times of trial and times of favor. The consistency of Joseph’s commitment to what is good models Paul’s charge to the Phillippians. This posture of excellence remains a calling upon our lives.

How might we better pursue excellence? When we fill our minds with what is extremely good— honor, truth, justice, loveliness—our lives reflect the excellence of God. What we orient ourselves to will direct our lives. Goodness and excellence can serve as a guide map pointing toward God’s perfect Kingdom. We may not reach that destination today, but we get closer. The road may be rocky, but we are promised the peace of God, which in every circumstance brings comfort. So, let us be encouraged to pursue what is good.