Christian living means emulating Christ, our role model. Yet, we often limit the principles laid down by Christ to our “spiritual growth.” Jesus Christ lived for 33 years on Earth, with His ministry spanning only three years. From a human perspective, this seems like a very short me. However, the impact of His three-year ministry has endured for thousands of years. Scripture provides overwhelming evidence of Jesus’ intentionality in His everyday activities, including food, conversations, and money. He further empowered us by giving us the “indwelling of the Holy Spirit,” who teaches us all things and assures us that we would do “greater works than these” (John 14:12). So, how did we come to limit this principle of excellence and generational impact to just spiritual matters? Colossians 3:23 (TPT) states, “Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others.” We often quote this scripture but fail to grasp the gravity of “doing it for the Lord Himself.” Imagine being given a personal task by the President of Nigeria; you would go to great lengths to ensure an excellent outcome, hoping to please the President and gain His favor. Similarly, if we do everything with the consciousness that we are doing it for the Lord, we wouldn’t have to debate the appropriate way to dress, the kind of content we consume on social media, our attitude towards academics, clinical rotation, conduct during exams, friendships and relationships, work ethics, etc. We would understand that God Himself has given us a job to represent Him (in our schools, wards, rooms, hospitals, etc.), and just as God told Abraham, “I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Furthermore, Titus 2:7-8 (MSG) admonishes, “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” We are called not just to a talking Christianity but to a practical one that reflects our daily activities. Think about the most “secular and insignificant” aspects of your life; God is interested in it and wants you to be an example, representing Him on Earth. Dear beloved, the importance of excellence lies in our role as ambassadors of Heaven. We MUST represent our TRIBE (Zion) on Earth. When we intentionally subject every facet of our lives to Christ, we will see the transformative power of Christ in everything we do. Remember, “You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” I urge you, therefore, to recognize your identity and maximize it. In addition, it is important to recognize that we live, study, and work in a “Marketplace” filled with a diverse array of people. In this environment, individuals are distinguished by the value they provide. Respect and honor come to those who offer meaningful solutions to problems. Many Chrisans, unfortunately, don’t realize that it is in this very marketplace that God wants us to shine effortlessly. He wants us to embody the principles of Christian living, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to achieve excellence. We are uniquely advantageous and must demonstrate this in everything we do and wherever we go. We should strive to become influential in our spheres. Avoiding responsibilities or tasks is not an option; rather, it is through fulfilling these dues efficiently that others will witness our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
Finally, you may have faced setbacks, fallen into sin, or failed exams and other tasks, and the devil may have planted false thoughts in your mind, making you feel less of yourself and undermining the transformative power of Grace. Today, God calls you to be courageous and steadfast. Don’t lose faith. Seek help, find wise guidance, connect with mentors, immerse yourself in the Word of God, pray fervently in the Spirit, and wholly surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, with God’s strength and guidance, you can overcome any challenge and shine brightly in all that you do. Be encouraged and empowered to pursue excellence for His glory!
Dr. Victor Nelson Eke