“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, 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”- Ph.4 vs 8. Excellence is the quality of being the best or being outstandingly good at anything you do. It’s not a certain point attained in life rather it is a lifestyle, a consistent process of surpassing expectations, breaking records and standards and being constantly exceptional. An excellent person cannot hide himself from the world. The world recognizes this person and yearns to be like this person.

Most Christian medics are not determined or willing to put in the work to attain this life of excellence. Some are oblivious to the importance of excellence as Christians and some are more concerned with attaining spiritual excellence when in fact both are important. The life of Christ we are meant to portray as Christians is not a mediocre one. (2Pet 1:3-4). This year, God has called us to be Burning and Shining Lights. When a light is shone, it can never go unnoticed. As lights, the evidence of our existence should be known via our impact and excellence (Matt.5:14-16). Why should we hide our lights by being average and not striving for excellence? Excellence transcends just our duty to ourselves as students but it’s also part of our service to God. (Col. 3;23)

Attaining excellence will require a high level of determination, consistency, discipline and hard work. However, a lot of grace has been made available to us to be able to attain this lifestyle (Ph4:13, 2Cor 9:8). God has great plans for us and it’s not a mediocre one (1Cor.2:9) and to be able to achieve God’s purpose in our lives we should be ready to work hard and allow ourselves to be guided by His spirit. (Dan 5:12) 

This is a call to all Christian medics to drop their old lives of mediocrity and embrace a new life of Excellence; and consistently live in it as the shining lights that we are.

David Chukwuebuka