Yes, I admit it. I actually teared up (don’t tell anybody!). I bet you did too though. Remember one of those stories the news ran about that famous individual with phenomenal success going back to their hometown to thank that special person who invested in them and sent their life on a trajectory to excellence? Do you remember how you were moved when you heard the tear-felt words of appreciation spoken about someone who never suspected the results of their actions? Pass me a hankie.

Wow, what a difference a life can make…when that life is committed to investing in others with no dreams of reward. The selfless act of valuing not only the brightest people in our spheres but the seemingly unpromising as well is powerful beyond words. There is nothing like this and it crosses all genders and ages and races.

I have personally had that same experience in my life. I can think back to that one particular teacher who looked past my outward appearance and saw possibilities in me that were beyond my comprehension. I was on the path to being a negative statistic at a young age and one person took the time to say “You can do better than this. Let’s turn this around today.” His words AND actions began the turning point in my life. Thank you Mr. Hicks from John Hay High School in Cleveland Ohio.

I am sure you have a similar story. It’s not mandatory that you have a crisis in your life to receive an infusion of hope and promise. These gifts are beneficial to everyone in all facets of life and the seeds sown bear fruit in the most marvelous ways.

Years from today, will someone pause and say that you were the one who made the difference in their life? It may not be as dramatic as when we see it unfolded on the news with bright lights and cameras as witnesses, but that doesn’t make it any less significant. Someone needs what only you can give.

Our constant quest for excellence in our ministry is not for the vain trophy of bragging rights to superiority in our fields. Our quest for excellence is to enable us to be more effective instruments in the hands of God. It’s not about us. It should never be about us.

First, we all give thanks to God for the small part that each of us is allowed to play. Our rewards come in the form of priceless payments of peace of mind, satisfaction in life, and the healing energy of the flow of love. And as we enjoy real quality in life we will do all in our power to help others enjoy a better quality of life too.

Mahalia Jackson made famous the song whose words said so much:

If I can help somebody, as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,
If I can show somebody, how they’re travelling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,
If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,
If I can spread love’s message, as the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

So bring excellence into what you do. Value the opportunities you have right now to influence lives for good. Slow down a bit. We only pass this way once so why not make it as meaningful as possible?

We hear a lot about dreams these days. Many of us have envisioned ourselves in a future time and place doing something that feels organic to who we really are. Some of our dreams are entrepreneurial. Some of our dreams are vocational. Some of our dreams are locational. Whatever category we may classify our dreams in; they all find their common denominator in the future.

Sleep walking, on the other hand, is going through the motions of counsciousness while in an uncounscious state. A sleep walker is unaware of their actions because they are asleep while walking. They might appear to be awake, but they are oblivious to their actions or surroundings.

While our dreams bring us satisfaction in pre-tasting our finest hours, I wonder if we are guilty of sleep walking through just as meaningful moments in time and missing just as satisfying opportunities as our dreams promise us? Are we awake to present realities or really just asleep and going through the motions?

Today, there is something special for you to be a part of. It might not feel like it’s related to your dream but it may lead to helping someone else experience their dream today. Whatever you are storing up to one day realize your dream is greatly multiplied by putting the best of you into whatever you find yourself doing today.

Giving the best that we have, in the best way we know how, is all that we are asked to do. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10

We can’t risk waiting on a future dream while neglecting our present opportunities because tomorrow is not promised.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”- when you now have it with you. Proverbs 3:27, 28 NIV

Let’s grab every opportunity we can to make a difference in the lives of others. Yes, that might entail entrepreneurial endeavors or vocational achievements or a change of location but each step along the way is just as vital as the final step. We can’t afford to sleep walk through this life.

Well, time to get back to work. No time for sleeping.

By now we have all heard the details of the fascinating rescue of the captain kidnapped from his ship off the coast of Somalia. We heard about his self-less act in going along with the pirates. We heard about his resilience and the courage of the entire crew in resisting the pirated attempt. 

Also widely discussed was the amazing ability of the Navy Seals who brought about his freedom. Without glorifying the details of this rescue, it demonstrates a principle that would serve us all well; preparation.

For these service men to do what they did in choppy waters and on the first attempt, took skills that had to be developed over a long period of time. There had to be countless hours of practice and training, using a wide array of scenarios, to prepare them for any eventuality.

I imagine that there must have been times when they simply did not feel like practicing and preparing, especially when they already knew they were better than most. I imagine they could have settled for being great and not worried about being exceptional. After all, who would know the difference?

Someone set a high standard for these soldiers. Someone decided that the ordinary just would not do and that what would seem impossible to the average person was doable by the disciplined, prepared person. In this case, being the best was not left up to chance but to careful planning and extensive preparation.

We’re called to be our best by the Best. We’re called to be exceptional when the average would normally suffice. We’re called to prepare even when we have some great experiences we could rely on instead. We’re called to excellence even when it does not come easy to us. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” Matthew. 16:24

Step one in the pursuit of excellence is to realize we’re at step one 

“To know one’s self is great knowledge. The person who rightly estimates himself will let God mold him, discipline his mind and will acknowledge the source of his power. For “what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians. 4:7. Self-knowledge leads to humility and trust in God; but it does not take the place of efforts for self-improvement. He who realizes his own deficiencies should spare no pains to reach the highest possible standard of physical, mental, and moral excellence.” Ellen G. White Special Testimonies on Education pg. 50

Are you really preparing? What books have you read this year to increase your effectiveness?  What seminars or learning opportunities have you taken advantage of to learn additional skills or to sharpen those that you have? How much of your learning and growing is intentional?

Your hours of preparation, training and pursuing excellence are never wasted…they’re just reserved for choppy waters ahead.