By Gina Caswell Kelly
Excellence! Intentional! Nevertheless! These are some of my favorite words. I love excellence whenever I see it. I love to see people being intentional about doing what is right. And I love that God offers me a “nevertheless” every day.
Excellence is something we should run after every single day. In every area of our lives. Excellence is not to be confused with perfection. We do not need to chase after perfection. Excellence is better. Excellence is knowing you made the effort to do your very best in everything you did. Whether it was at work, in sports, being a parent, or as a Christian, excellence is the goal. Excellence is the final signature on your day. You can rest knowing you chased excellence all day long and caught it!
Intentional is how we should live our lives. We need to be intentional about living a Godly life. Intentional about seeking God’s plan for our lives. Intentional about serving Him in all we do. Again, whether at work, sports, being a parent or as a Christian, we must be intentional to see any difference in what we are doing. We have to intentionally seek the good. We have to intentionally find ways to brighten another’s day.
Nevertheless is a word we see in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament with the children of Israel. Everyday, it seems they would find something new to complain about or a new way to not follow God. And everyday, God would find a way to forgive and continue to love. What it says in scripture is, “Nevertheless, the Lord remembered His people.” “Nevertheless, the Lord had compassion on His children.” I need that nevertheless in my day every day. I need to know that in spite of when I fail to follow, nevertheless He forgives me. In spite of when I fail to seek Him, nevertheless, He offers me guidance. In spite of all that I do wrong each day, nevertheless He continues to hold me close. Nevertheless, He continues to love me. He continues to forgive me. He continues to allow me into His presence. We need to offer others that nevertheless, as well. We need to love others in spite of how they might disappoint us. We are given a nevertheless. We should show that same grace to others.
Be excellent in all you do! Be intentional in all you do! Look for the nevertheless when you have failed Him. Put all these together and you have a pretty great day going on!
Be excellent! Be intentional! Offer and accept that “nevertheless!” It will make a difference!
