The Power of Excellence
I’m a perfectionist! It’s one of my greatest assets and one of my greatest struggles! Perfection is actually not a healthy goal. It’s actually not even a healthy mindset. And it’s definitely not biblical. So why do we strive to be perfect, when we know for a fact it’s unachievable? I mean, the reason that Jesus gave his life for us was to be the perfect sacrifice that He knew we could never and would never be. So why do so many of us struggle so much with this ideal of perfection? Because it’s Godly, and we are called to live a holy and pleasing life? Maybe?
Perfectionism often leads to frustration, discouragement, and an endless cycle of never feeling “good enough.” It can cause people to hesitate in stepping out in faith or even serving in their church or community because they fear falling short. But the good news is that we were never meant to carry this burden. God has already made a way for us through grace, and He simply calls us to bring our best, not to be flawless.
So how do we shift our perspective and objective to be healthy and pleasing, rather than unhealthy and trapping? The answer is something I’ve spent years learning… excellence. Excellence vs. perfection is something that will release you from disappointment, shame, guilt, and burnout. Not only as a human being, but as a team and even a church. Excellence allows us to grow, improve, and make progress without the fear of failure holding us back. It helps us pursue high standards while keeping a posture of humility and grace.
Working out the freedom of excellence is a very important lesson to learn! Excellence is simply doing the best you can, bringing your best offering, and working to be the best you can be at your gift, calling, or job! It means pushing yourself toward growth while also recognizing that mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey. It’s about having a mindset of continual improvement rather than an unattainable goal of perfection. Letting go of unrealistic expectations frees you from burning out or giving up on some impossible goal you may never achieve.
A mentor once told me, “The only person you can compare yourself to is the you that you were yesterday.” This is a mantra I carry with me! As long as I’m trying to be better today than I was yesterday at the task at hand or the gift I find myself using, I’m doing okay! This mindset creates a sense of forward momentum and removes the unnecessary pressure of trying to meet unrealistic standards. It encourages a heart of gratitude, recognizing the progress we’ve made while still striving for growth.
Cultivating this mental shift within yourself and your team will release an atmosphere of excitement, learning, and grace! When people are not afraid to fail, they become more willing to take risks, step into new roles, and develop their gifts. You will ignite a passion for the things you can achieve and set goals that you work towards with realistic standards. The end result will be a much healthier mental space, a much healthier team, and a much healthier church!
So release yourself and your team from perfection and strive for excellence and see how God will work in and through you! When we embrace excellence over perfection, we open the door for God to move in powerful ways. We allow room for His grace to fill in the gaps and for His strength to be made perfect in our weakness. Excellence is not about achieving perfection—it’s about honoring God with our best and trusting Him with the rest.
Written by: Kelli Wright
Kelli is the Consulting Director at Froot Group, a worship staffing and consulting company.
