This Sunday started early and finished late for our church. The men arrived early to cook the First Sunday Breakfast and have it ready to serve at 9:00. Then came Sunday School and the morning worship service. These were followed by lunch and play practice to prepare for the Community Christmas celebration on Sunday evening. After play practice we had a few hours to get more things ready for the big stage, prepare snacks for the potluck supper, change clothes and get everything together to go back to the Community Building.

Meanwhile, back to the morning services. It’s been a few years since we’ve had an all-out battle with a wasp, but a rolled-up magazine works almost as well as a fl y swatter. This time Shelley Brown was the hero who—turning half-around and swatting with precision while not missing a note—managed to bring the wasp down with a hushed whap. I’m not certain, but the song we were singing may have been “Who is He in Yonder Stall?”

Rev. Brown’s sermon was from Daniel 6:1-5 and was titled “A Spirit of Excellence.” One of Daniel’s distinguishing characteristics was that a spirit of excellence was within him.

Salvation is given to us because Jesus paid the price for it. Excellence in living the Christian lifestyle, however, is developed. Go the extra mile. Do any job you undertake to the best of your ability. It pleases Christ, and it makes you a witness for Him.

This spirit of excellence affects every area of your life, and it glorifi es Jesus. If you handle it right, everything you encounter develops this spirit of excellence.

God honors good organization and order. Approach any task by determining what its purpose is, by planning how to do it, and by preparing for it. [Added note—the job may have a routine, down-to-earth purpose, but the way we plan for it, prepare for it, and accomplish it can be a witness to the transforming power of Christ.]

Excellence shows up. In Daniel’s case, King Darius made him one of the three governors who oversaw the other 123 governors. [You may or may not be rewarded with promotions and honors on earth, but a life lived in a genuine spirit of excellence is one that delights in God’s approval above all else.] Live in a spirit of excellence so that, as eventually happened to Daniel, the only way your enemies can find to attack you is through your faith.