Colleen Smith

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

(I Peter 4:10 NIV)

"Most people have a desire to look at the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional."

    John C. Maxwell

Most of us are basically lazy.  We prefer dreaming about what might be rather than doing what is necessary to attain our maximum potential.  We say, "I could have done that" and then recite a list of excuses why we didn't.

Becoming exceptional takes hard work and dedication.   We must be single-minded in purpose and willing to not only set goals, but work at implementing them.  We must not succumb to habitual derailment.  We need to be willing to persevere against what could be overwhelming odds against success.  We must learn to view failures along the way as only temporary setbacks—as learning experiences or as stepping stones to success and accomplishment.

Attaining a level of exceptionality has its own rewards.  They could even be fame, fortune or power.  But if these are our sole motivation for attaining the level of being exceptional in any area of effort, we are aspiring to greatness for the wrong reasons.  If our motive for realizing our personal potential is to honor and glorify God and to serve others, we will find peace, happiness, and joy.  In addition, we will find a sense of satisfaction in knowing that we used God’s gifts to become the special persons He meant for us to be.  Why?  Because we followed His plan for us and our gifts—not our own.

Heavenly Father, I confess that it is easier for me to dream than to do. And it is much easier to explain away my shortcomings than to take personal responsibility for them. I hate to fail in the things I do for the Kingdom, but sometimes it is easier to accept failure than to turn my failures into triumphs. Forgive me for seeking an easy way out of challenging situations. I am tired of being an “exception.” I want to become “exceptional.” I have learned that this is your will for me, and I pledge to continue pursuing excellence until I find it. Amen.