Daily Devotionals

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place Week 6: Monday

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

What comes to mind when you think of the word excellence? Do you think of a project that you completed excellently? Do you think of a company like Chick-fil-A that does everything excellently? Does a person who lives with excellence come to mind? I think of Daniel. Daniel did everything excellently despite all his difficulties and trials because he focused not on his hardships or circumstances but on God. 

As we read about Daniel in the book of Daniel, we see that this man lived his life excellently. He served God for his entire life with excellence, never compromising his faith and always honoring God through his actions. His excellence extended throughout his entire life. That is why, when a new king came up in Babylon, King Darius, he got the king's attention. Daniel 6 tells us that when Darius became king, Daniel "soon" proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers" (verse 3). Daniel's excellence quickly captured the king's attention, and he "made plans to place him over the entire empire" (verse 3). The king quickly knew that Daniel was someone who lived with excellence, and he trusted him with his empire. Darius likely thought Daniel lived with excellence to please him, but this was not why he lived with excellence. Daniel followed God, and his allegiance and excellence were because of Him. 

Daniel's excellence serves as an example to follow. How do we live with such excellence? Paul shows us in Colossians 3:17 how to have a mindset of excellence. He writes, "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." How do we live with excellence according to this verse? We do everything with the mindset that we are God's representative. Living with this mindset, we do everything excellently, seeking to give God our best. 

What about you? Are you living in such a way that your excellence points others to Him? Are you giving your very best, knowing you are a representative for Him? I urge you, my friend, to live with excellence, remembering that everything you do is for God, and you are His representative. Live in such a way that you will point people to Him just by your excellence.

Moving Toward Action

Read Colossians 3:17 out loud three times. As you read, concentrate on the words and instructions in this verse. Let this verse be a reminder to you to live with excellence in every single thing you do today. Remember, you are God's representative in all you do.

Going Deeper

Colossians 3:1-17

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."