There’s something truly amazing about grace—it makes small things matter.

At the age of 17, in the most ordinary, insecure, and directionless season of my life, grace found me at my worst. Because of God’s extraordinary love, I realized that there is more to life than just existing and living for oneself. He made my small life matter. I discovered the powerful truth that I find the meaning of life when I offer it to God and allow Him to use me for His purpose.

There began my journey of pursuing an excellent life. He made me realize that if He can make my small, seemingly insignificant life matter, then the small things I do would matter, too.

How? Through His grace that enables us to be excellent in every area of our lives.

Excellence in Thought

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

Excellence begins in the mind. God breaks our mindset of settling for mediocrity and spurs us on to pursue what’s true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

How you think is who you become. It affects everything you do. How can you start renewing your mind today? What are some things that can help you renew your mind and align it to God’s Word?

Excellence in Speech

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt . . .

Colossians 4:6

As your thought life changes, your speech transforms. In a world that needs voices of truth, your lips will begin to speak the truth with much grace and build up those around you. Encouraging one person a day makes a lot of difference.

Are you showing excellence in speech? How can you grow in terms speaking truth and life to others?

Excellence in Action

People say that we are shaped and fashioned by what we love.

Understanding God’s love for you and how valuable you are in His sight will transform how you present yourself, particularly in your choice of clothes, manners, and actions.

How do you usually present yourself to others? How does understanding who you are in God change how you will present yourself from now on?

Excellence in Wisdom

“What matters is not the accomplishments you achieve, what matters is the person you become.”

—Dallas Willard

Your calling as a student is to be a faithful steward of your life, which includes your studies. But you are not just a student in school; you are a student of life.

As a student of life, never ever stop learning. Persevere through failures and challenges. Receive impartation from teachers and mentors who can speak the truth in your life. They are a blessing from heaven that can help you live an excellent life.

More than your skills, what matters the most is your heart that is being transformed and molded to be more like the One who created you.

Excellence in Character

“Your reputation is who people think you are; your character is who you really are.”

—Coach John Wooden

While many people focus too much on self-image, remember that your character is more important than your outward appearance.

The world is often impressed with reputation, but what leaves a lasting impact is character. According to Merriam-Webster, character is “moral excellence and firmness.” It is who we are, even when no one is looking. It is seen in the way we act. One expression of good character is faithfulness even with the little things. Faithfulness with little will prepare you to be faithful with much. Here are some life skills that will go a long way:

• Be faithful with the small things. Don’t despise the days of small beginnings.
• Always be on time.
• Deliver results beyond expectations.
• Be a person of your word.
• Finish what you have started.

Excellence in Love

Excellence in life is marked by love and thrives in love, whether that’s in our passions or in our relationships. A life lived in love is an excellent life.

The Apostle Paul said our abilities mean nothing if they are not done in love. He encouraged Christians to pursue the more excellent way, “the way of love.”

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. . . . Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1–3,13 (NLT)

Love is the key ingredient in excellence because it is the only way that we can truly give our best. As you strive to be excellent and proclaim God’s excellencies, you can make the world a better place.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14–16

Your life is a message that will tell the world about our excellent God.

The pursuit of an excellent life is only possible through Him who has drawn you close to His heart and purpose in the most excellent way.