In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge.
2 Peter 1:5
I recently read an article from an online women’s magazine that was based on the premise that excellence in life is impossible all the time. The article explained that a woman can accomplish much more if she gives up the goal of excellence. The article promoted mediocrity, even if that wasn’t the intention of the writer.
I think the author was confusing excellence with perfection. Webster defines perfection as “the quality or state of being perfect or complete” and excellence as “the state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.”
Only God is perfect and complete. We aren’t going to get there during our life on earth. But we can possess good qualities and be women of integrity and virtue. Living as a woman of excellence is impossible without God. We need His guidance through His Word. Remember, doing your best is excellence, not perfection and excellence honors the Lord.
This week, read and meditate on the following scriptures and focus on living as a woman of excellence and virtue.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:8 (Message Bible)
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
