Competing With GritSample

Excellence: Set the Bar

READY

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” — Colossians 3:17 (NLT)

SET

One of the best memories I have of high school was when I made varsity and was issued my jersey for the first time. There is something special about holding that jersey in your hand and seeing the name across the front. You realize that when you put on that jersey you are representing something greater than yourself. We all want to be a part of something great. It was the same experience when I went to college and got my new jersey and number for the first time. I’ll never forget how special that was and the sense of responsibility I felt representing my team and school.

We should have the same mindset as believers in Jesus Christ. As Christians we bear the name of Jesus; first and foremost we are Team Jesus. Every day we wake up representing the name of Jesus and His Kingdom. There should be a weight of responsibility that comes along with that. The way I carry myself, act, and treat others will reflect first on my God and then on my fellow teammates and believers in the faith. What does every coach want in a team and organization? We want dexcellence out of the entire squad!

Kingdom-minded commitment to excellence. Excellence is one of the four core values of FCA. We are a part of something greater than ourselves. When we remember that we are working for the Lord rather than people, we have an eternal mindset. This mindset gives us the passion and desire to be excellent in all we do for Christ. 

It’s important to realize excellence is not perfection. Perfection focuses on the outcome, but excellence focuses on the process. As an athlete, I often heard, “We are what we repeatedly do.” If this is the case, then excellence is not a single act but a habit we put into practice. Let's be people who live a life of excellence and do so for the Lord. When we do this, the way we live our lives will be a testimony to those around us and represent the name of Jesus and His Kingdom well. 

GO

• What is the difference between perfection and excellence?
• Why is excellence important as a Christian athlete or coach?
• What is one thing you need to be more excellent in this week?

WORKOUT

Philippians 3:12-16

OVERTIME

“Jesus, in all we do today in thought and action, help us exhibit a passion and desire to give our very best in every moment—because we know we are doing it for You and Your glory.”

Kelly Schmidt