June 9, 2010 The Spirit of Excellence

Being an artist, I always love reading the descriptions of the temple, in all of its stages throughout the Bible.  They've become more vivid to me as I've practiced imagining the details in my mind's eye.  The varied way that the Spirit of Wisdom worked in Solomon-- either in the practicalities of business, or in the beautiful details of an artistic vision-- is a vivid picture of how God's wisdom is a priceless endowment in every area of life.  Christ is now building His temple, the Church, as a habitation for God's name, and the glory that permeates His workmanship, through the Spirit of Wisdom, is what sets the Church apart and makes her great in every area of influence.

The same Spirit of Wisdom works through the members of Christ's Body today.  No matter what our endeavors and areas of gifting are, the Spirit of Wisdom, when allowed to guide and empower, will enable us to glorify God by helping us to achieve a level of excellence that shines.  I am reminded that when people began to notice Jesus, they commented that He did "all things well."   The fact that Solomon did "all things well" clues us in to the concept that he is a "type and shadow" of Christ.  Think how glorious His reign will be!  Do you ever let yourself imagine what that time will be like?  I certainly do!

Nobody that I know does "all things well"!  I'm good at several things, but I'm terrible with numbers!  Lucky for me, my husband Bob is a whiz!  He, on the other hand, has some holes in his abilities that I can fill nicely.  We're a good team!  And this is the glory of oneness: not only in marriage, but in the Body of Christ, the Church!  As we each do our part by the Spirit of Wisdom and Excellence, we participate in building a living temple for the glory of God's name.  "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!"  Psalm 8:9

We should never look down on someone because their part doesn't look spiritual to us.  Everyone has a duty, whether they are prophets or plumbers, to walk in the Spirit, and thus shine with God's wisdom and excellence, which is part of His glory. As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3  Being excellent in all we do is not about getting glory for ourselves (which is worldliness), but is all about showing forth the glory of God. 

Sadly, a religious spirit of false humility has, over the decades, tended to tarnish the Church's ability to shine forth the glory, promoting, in many individuals, a need to diminish the light of Christ in themselves.  If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will do whatever it is we do, whether small or great, in an attitude of worship, which will allow God's excellence to be seen. 

Even when something is unnoticed by people, excellence glorifies God!  One of the marks of quality-- for example, of a piece of designer clothing-- is that even the hidden seams are marked with excellence of workmanship.  Never think that what you do doesn't matter-- it's all part of the Church's reason for existence: to glorify God's name. 

Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not doing excellently!  Jesus is still the Author and Finisher!  It's our job to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, not stress and strive in a perfectionistic way. (see how today's Psalm addresses this: Psalm 127:1-2). He will teach and guide, and if we just keep on being faithful, we will eventually do excellently without even trying. 

Jesus Christ is excellent.  If you're born of God, and if the Spirit of God lives in you, you are made of excellent material!  As Christ is formed in you, you will become-- you are becoming-- more and more excellent, just like Him!