WHEN IT’S ALL FOR GOD’S GLORY
It was in the third year when the novelty of field life had long worn off, that the temptation to “just get by” became a daily whisper. The local language was still a struggle, and the pioneer thought to herself, “Why spend an extra hour on grammar when I could just use simpler phrases and hope to be understood?” The community project that Mary was overseeing was functional, but far from the gleaming “It works, doesn’t it?” her mind would rationalize. “It’s better than nothing. God will bless the effort, even if it’s not perfect.”
Mary found herself cutting corners on administrative tasks, monthly prayer updates, and sometimes, letting her quiet times become hurried or slipped altogether. The fatiguing heat, the constant demands, the slow pace of everything, and the seemingly impenetrable spiritual apathy of some villagers chipped away at her resolve. She saw other workers, some who seemed to thrive, and others who were enduring. The line between “faithful perseverance” and “bare minimum survival” blurred.
One sweltering afternoon, after a particularly frustrating attempt to explain a Bible story to a local friend, Mary slumped against a mud-brick wall, feeling weary. “What’s the point?” she muttered. “I’m not good at anything here. I’m just… getting by. And who am I doing this for, anyway? Is it really for God, or just to keep my support going?”
The pursuit of excellence can become more about performance and less about devotion, a daily act of worship. The pioneer realized that excellence wasn’t about the outcome, which was God’s to give, but about the heart she brought to the task. It wasn’t about being perfect, but about offering her very best—her diligent effort in language, her care for her project, her patient presence with a curious neighbor—as an act of worship to an excellent God.
BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON EXCELLENCE
God is the ground of all true excellence. He is the one who fills any definition of excellence with meaning, and he is the reason why we cannot be content with lackluster mediocrity, halfhearted effort, or substandard service.
God is excellent in every way. God’s excellence is not merely one of His attributes; it’s an overarching quality that permeates and defines all of who He is and everything He does. It signifies His supreme and inherent superiority, perfection, and unparalleled quality in every aspect of His being and character. (Psalm 8:1; 145:3; Deuteronomy 32:4; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3-11)
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him. We are created to reflect God’s image and to declare His praises. When we live in obedience, worship Him, and make Him known, we participate in the unfolding of His glory. (Psalm 73:25-26; Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36; John 15:11)
“Doing all for the glory of God” is a central, transformative principle of any follower’s life. It means that every single aspect of our existence—our thoughts, words, actions, relationships, work, mundane tasks, and even our leisure—is intentionally directed towards magnifying God’s inherent worth, character, and splendor. It’s not about adding to God’s glory (as He is already infinitely glorious), but about reflecting, displaying, and acknowledging His supreme value to the world. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17; Matthew 5:16)
God deserves the first and best. We should strive for excellence, knowing that our best only happens when God does it with us. When Abel brought his first and best, God was pleased. In the Psalms, King David asks musicians to employ their highest skill as they make sacred music. The prophet Malachi demands that the priests and people alike bring their finest offerings to worship. Jesus praises the woman who anoints him with rare and expensive oil. Excellence insists that we bring our first and best because when we do that it honors and pleases God. (2 Timothy 2:15; Philippians 1:9-10; Romans 12:6-8)
Excellence is fueled by grace not fear. Perfection is the idea of being without flaw or error. It often implies an unattainable or idealized standard—one that, if we are not careful, becomes more about appearance than substance. Perfection often produces fear. Excellence, on the other hand, is about doing your best with what you have. Excellence is grace-based. It is rooted in intentionality, care, and growth—not in being flawless, but in being faithful. We aim for excellence not to win applause or check every box—but to honor God, serve others well, and steward our callings with care. (Colossians 3:23; Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Biblical excellence is not a self-serving ambition but a God-centered devotion. It is the practical outworking of a heart committed to glorifying God in all things. By striving for diligence, integrity, and quality in every facet of our lives—from the most public ministry in the field to the most private thought—we become living testimonies to the character of our excellent God, drawing others to Him and fulfilling the very purpose for which we were created.
What other Scriptures or biblical aspects come to mind when you consider “excellence”? Take a few moments to look up 1-2 of these verses and journal what the Lord highlights for you.
“let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXCELLENCE
In contexts where people have little to no knowledge of Christ, missionaries are often the primary, if not sole, visible representation of God. If a missionary’s life or work is characterized by mediocrity, inconsistency, or a lack of integrity, it can inadvertently communicate that the God they serve is likewise unremarkable, unreliable, or not truly worthy of devotion.
Pursuing excellence for God’s glory on the mission field isn’t about personal achievement; it’s about making God look as good as He truly is, drawing people to Him, and ensuring that His name is honored among those who have never heard.
Honors God’s Character: God Himself is a God of excellence, order, and beauty. Our striving for excellence in our work and character reflects His nature and pleases Him.
Dignity of God’s Work: The mission is God’s mission, and it deserves our utmost effort. The label of “Christian” is not an excuse for poor workmanship—in fact, it is the exact opposite. Because we report to a higher authority, we seek to serve Him with the highest-quality work possible. God asks us for our best work, not the best “Christian” version of our work. Our commitment to excellence reflects the infinite worth and majesty of the One we serve. (Titus 2:7-8; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:6-8)
Credibility and Witness: In contexts where the gospel is unfamiliar or misunderstood, the quality of your life and work speaks volumes. Shoddy work, inconsistency, or a lack of diligence can undermine your message and discredit the God you represent. Excellence builds trust and demonstrates the transformative power of Christ. Our “good deeds” lead others to “glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Stewardship of Gifts and Resources: God has entrusted each pioneer with unique gifts, skills, time, and financial resources. Excellence is about being a faithful steward, maximizing the impact of what God has given you for His Kingdom purposes (Matthew 25:14-30).
Love for Neighbor: Doing things poorly can actually harm those you serve. Excellence, conversely, is an expression of genuine love and respect for the people you are ministering to, ensuring they receive the best possible care, teaching, and service. We don’t patronize those around us. As children of the King, we don’t give scraps and leftovers, but we honor one another as princes and princesses of the High King.
Combating Misconceptions: In some cultures, “Christian” might be associated with laziness or inefficiency due to past negative examples. Your excellence can challenge these stereotypes and present a counter-narrative. Excellence in your work inevitably leads to greater influence and that influence can create a significant impact for the Kingdom.
The call to excellence is not about seeking perfection or striving for accolades, but about reflecting the character of our God in every facet of your life and ministry. It is an act of worship, a powerful witness, and an essential component of an effective mission.
PRAYER ACTION
Consider the Scriptures you cling to above. Consider excellence. Write a prayer for the kind of person you want to be for the glory of God.
BUILDING A PRACTICAL MINI-THEOLOGY OF EXCELLENCE
Take some time to prayerfully draft your practical mini-theology of “excellence” by responding to these questions:
What does it mean to live for the glory of God? How can this become one’s deepest motivation?
example: God is… We are the kind of people who… It is most like us/me to… We/I will… We/I hold to…
Why do excellence and giving your best matter? What does it look like to give your best or your all for God? How would you want someone from the local community to describe your life and work?
Consider areas of ministry or daily life (e.g., language learning, platform ministry, outreach, discipleship, team, servant leadership). How do you ensure that the quality of your work, whether visible or behind the scenes, reflects the excellence of the God you serve? How do you ensure that your “good deeds” are truly seen as an overflow of God’s love through you, rather than just human effort or a means to an end?
Once you finish share your responses with your mentor. Ask for feedback. Adjust your draft as needed.
Additional Resources for Going Deeper:
Excellence, by Andreas Köstenberg
Recovering Perfectionist, by Alysha Clark
Pursuit of Excellence, by The High Calling
Let the Nations Be Glad, by John Piper
WAYS WE DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENCE
Excellence in the mission field permeates every area, often in ways that are deeply practical and relational:
Language Learning: Committing to the study of the language, striving for fluency, not just basic communication. This shows respect for the local people, enables deeper connection, minimizes misunderstandings, and more precise gospel proclamation in people’s heart language.
Cultural Engagement & Gospel Proclamation: Carefully studying the local worldview to understand points of connection and barriers to the gospel, developing culturally appropriate ways to share the message, and patiently answering questions. It means being prepared to articulate the hope you have (1 Peter 3:15). It ensures the gospel is being understood, minimizes unnecessary offense, and maximizes its impact by presenting truth in a way that resonates with the local culture. This involves humility and a willingness to learn, demonstrating genuine love.
Stewardship of Resources: Exercising care, integrity, trustworthiness, and transparency with financial resources, property, and people. It honors God’s provision, builds trust with both supporters and local communities, and removes any potential stumbling block that could discredit the gospel.
Intentional Discipleship and Leadership Development: Not just leading people to Christ, but diligently investing in their spiritual growth, equipping them to understand Scripture, training them to lead, and empowering them to take ownership of the local church and mission. It fulfills the call to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20) and ensures the long-term sustainability and indigenous growth of the church.
Practical Skills and Community Development: If involved in medical work, agriculture, education, or other community projects, performing these tasks with high standards of quality, reliability, and sustainability, reflects God’s order and care.
Personal Character and Habits: Maintaining personal integrity, humility, emotional resilience, physical hygiene, and a strong work ethic. This includes keeping commitments and demonstrating self-control in all areas of life.
Prayer Life: Cultivating a consistent, fervent, and strategic prayer life, recognizing that this is the most excellent way to partner with God.
In every act, from the mundane to the miraculous, the pioneer mission worker’s pursuit of excellence is a living sermon, declaring the glory of the God who is Himself excellent in all His ways. It is a commitment to honor Him by giving nothing less than their very best.
spreading the fame 