Tuesday, April 8, 2014

An Exploration of Excellence



Here is my question: if we lower our standard so that everyone can be "excellent," will excellence remain excellent?

So here's the thing about standards. They are incredibly important; few will deny that. But they are also among the most malleable concepts we, as human beings, acknowledge. Standards waver individual to individual, family to family, establishments, countries, eras--all have varying standards. These differing standards are based upon differing sources. Some may stand upon tradition, some upon religion, others upon opinion, and still others upon experience. The list continues. In education, athletics, and anything statistical, we speak of averages. Averages, too, are definitionally something of a standard. So where is the source of an average? The answer is quite simple: look around you. Every single person who has ever lived on the planet constitutes a part of some or another average. This simply means that the standard of an average is based upon people. People who are not perfect.

How do we know we're not perfect? Well, there is indeed another standard that reveals man's imperfection. That standard is called the Law of God and it can be conveniently found in the Bible. The law does not make man righteous. It was put in place to reveal man's sin and teach him how to live. Romans 3:20 "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Some may react to this by flopping down and insisting that it's all hopeless, so why try? The answer is, of course, that it is not hopeless. We can do ALL things through Christ (Philippians 4:8) and we ought ALWAYS to strive for God's glory (1 Cor. 10:31). The Law, though impossible for imperfect man to fulfill, is God's command. Jesus said that if we love him, we will obey his commands (John 14:15). That love of God, ultimately, is our motivation.

So here's the crux of the matter. Man's standard of "average" is flexible and one era's "excellence" is another era's "subpar." But God's standard remains the same. Excellence, in man's eyes, cannot be "excellent" because that definition is constantly shifting. But we can be assured that excellence will always be excellent under God's unchanging, definitive standard.


If you're interested in finding out more about the Law, Biblegateway has a wonderful commentary on Galatians 3 which can be found here: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Gal/Understanding-Law

What does excellence mean to you? How often do your standards shift? How do your standards measure up to God's?

Best wishes,

Nicole

Sacrifice

No, it's not Memorial Day. It's not even Veterans day. Today has nothing to do with the military.

Except that it has everything to do with it. The reason I can sit here and type on my computer, the reason I can look outside and see my little sister playing with her friends without danger is because of them. I can live without fear for my life because there are men and women braver than I serving this country every day.

I was just thinking about that today. About sacrifice as well. You see, service to the country is a kind of sacrifice. It is one that I admire because it mirrors the sacrifice of one who has my eternal gratitude and love: Christ Jesus. He, though sinless, faced death for the sins of the world.

So I want to say thank you to those who served, who are serving, and to the families of those who give up time with their loved ones for the safety of this country. Does it have to be a special occasion for a citizen to express her gratitude towards those who protect this country? I don't think so.

So if you know someone who served, give them a hug for me and tell them they are appreciated! And to those who are serving, I pray for your safety and health everyday. May you be ever blessed for your sacrifice!





Why yes, that is a soldier and a kitten. :) I couldn't help it...

Best wishes,

Nicole

Commission




Go speak to a people who may not listen and tell them a truth they do not want to hear. It may be the toughest of tasks, but it is not wholly without instruction. "Behold, I send ye forth as sheep amidst wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

Hello, dearest reader. I am Nicole, though it is not my name. Perhaps you know me, perhaps you are only a future version of me. At any rate, welcome to my creed.

I strive for masterful communication. Imploring one to use the shrewdness of a serpent (or a dragon) and the gentleness of a dove, the Bible verse above teaches the reader how to convey a difficult message to closed ears. What power, indeed, would such a skill render its wielder. For this reason, I have elected to name this exploration of communication Doves and Dragons, hoping that through its exploits I might chase that mastery.

Join me, if you wish, along this journey! Or, if it suits you, do otherwise. Either way I hope you will be blessed.

Best wishes,
Nicole