EXCELLENCE IS A JOURNEY - 2.3.2015

EXCELLENCE IS A JOURNEY
Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

After all of the SUPER BOWL confetti had fallen and the trophies and MVP’s awarded and while the pundits were continuing to be dumbfounded as to why “they didn’t run the ball”, one of the networks paused to interview one of Tom Brady’s teammates Julian Edelman.

Edelman had a great game. He made some big catches including one to keep the Patriots on a drive that would eventually be a game winner as well as the game winning touchdown.

Now I had no particular “stake” in the outcome. No bets or anything. And as many of you know I suffer yearly as a Browns fan knowing in the 49 years of this “big game” we have never even had the chance to participate. The reason I mention Edelman and the game once more today is to share what he said when asked about Tom Brady.

The reporter asked Edelman about Brady’s legacy as one of the great quarterbacks of all time. And interestingly enough Edelman chose to share about HOW Tom Brady continues to be excellent not that he WAS excellent.

Edelman commented that even though Tom would seemingly have “done enough”; 4 championship rings, married to a super model, articulate, cultured and famous, that each year Tom was dedicated to “getting better” and doing better.

Edelman talked about Brady continuing each year to refine his fundamentals, to be open to new coaching, to improving his agility and to refining his rest. His spoke of how he was grounded and focused. He said Brady never stops pursuing excellence.

Now whether you are a Brady fan or not (I like him and he went to that “school up north”) one has to appreciate his “commitment to excellence”. And in his sphere of life, many would say he has achieved it yet HE CONTINUES to PURSUE IT!

Then yesterday in our weekly staff discussion we were challenged and reminded that “excellence” is not a destination rather it is a journey. That caused me to recall a couple of my friends who make it a point to INTENTIONALLY STRIVE to “be like Jesus” each day a little more than the day before.

They PURSUE the JOURNEY toward EXCELLENCE in their walk with Christ.

They remain focused on the fundamentals. They remain open to their spirits and to GOD’s promptings as to how to emulate CHRIST. They understand that excellence is most certainly a journey.
They both EMBRACE this passage with body, soul and spirit each and every day!
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Finally…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And these two take it one step further each day and also strive FOR excellence in all they say and DO!

How about you? How about me?
Are we ready to give our BEST to the LORD today?
How are our fundamentals?
I wonder if our hearts minds and spirits are open to WHAT is EXCELLENT, HONORABLE and LOVELY today. Are they?

Remember EXCELLENCE is a JOURNEY! Want to go with me?
Philippians 3:12
…I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.

I love you all!
Freedom Church