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I cannot remember who I was listening to, maybe it was an episode from the Better Together podcast, but when they said, “Excellence is Worship,” that was the only thing I heard. That stuck on me like glue. It kept popping up in my mind, and then I was like, well, maybe I am supposed to dive deeper into this. So I am taking you along for the journey!
What Is Worship, Really?
Worship is not just for Sundays at church. It isn’t just the music that we sing and dance to.
I ran to get my Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary and the entry for the word worship was 1.5 pages. That’s deep! The first few sentences say, “ worship is a term used to refer to the act or action associated with attributing honor, reverence, or worth to that which is considered to be divine by religious adherents. It is the human response to the self-revelation of the Triune God…
In a broad sense, worship is seen as a way of life, Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Worship is a lifestyle, offered daily through our attitudes, actions, and decisions.
What if how we showed up in our work, relationships, and responsibilities was worship to God?
Defining Excellence Through a Biblical Lens
Biblical excellence is far from perfectionism; in fact, we can never be perfect, which will help you relieve that heavy load! You do not have to be perfect! Biblical excellence is wholehearted devotion.
Excellence reflects God’s character (He is excellent in all He does). Excellence means being faithful with what’s been entrusted to you. God blesses us with people, jobs, opportunities, finances, skills, talents, and more. We should be faithful and intentional with these blessings.
One of my favorite scriptures that helps me to be accountable for the people and things God blessed me with is Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Another passage that outs fire under me is Matthew 25:14–30, this is the parable of the talents. 3 people were given talents of different proportions. Two of them were excellent in how they managed it. The last one, not so much and was dishonored. If you haven’t read it, I would encourage you to do so.
Areas Where Excellence Can Become Worship
In Your Work
Whether it’s a corporate job, homemaking, teaching, ministry, etc.
Show up on time, give your best, honor leadership.
In Your Relationships
Be present, forgive, speak life, serve with humility.
Love well, not lazily or selfishly. Outserve and outlove one another.
In Your Daily Tasks
Chores, emails, errands, parenting, creative work.
Approach with purpose and gratitude.
I have been teaching at an art school for about 7 months and the owner constantly says, “You are so great!” “You set the bar so high!” “You are amazing!” And a whole bunch more statements about my work ethic. To me, it is what I am supposed to do. I love working and going above and beyond, not to be praised but to be a blessing to others. I maybe called in sick once, but I communicate clearly so that we do not have any issues.
Obstacles to Excellence as Worship
While we may desire to live and serve with excellence, there are often internal and external roadblocks that get in the way. Here are a few common obstacles, along with some encouragement for overcoming them:
1. Perfectionism
Excellence is not perfection. Perfectionism stems from fear, fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being enough. God never called us to be flawless; He called us to be faithful. When we strive for perfect outcomes, we often miss the joy of the process and the grace of God’s presence in the journey.
Excellence says, “I give God my best.”
Perfectionism says, “My best must be flawless or I’m not worthy.”
2. People-Pleasing
When we live to meet the expectations of others, our excellence becomes a performance instead of an offering. People-pleasing shifts our focus from pleasing God to managing the approval of people. But the call to worship through excellence requires undivided devotion.
Are you serving from pressure, or are you serving from purpose?
3. Burnout and Lack of Boundaries
Sometimes we equate doing more with being excellent. But exhaustion is not a badge of holiness. Without healthy boundaries, our “yes” becomes a burden, not a blessing. God honors rest, margin, and wise stewardship of our energy.
True excellence is sustainable. It flows from a place of rest, not resentment.
4. Comparison
It’s hard to give God your best when you’re constantly looking at someone else’s. Comparison robs you of contentment and distorts your definition of excellence. Your lane, your gifts, and your calling are sacred. Worship through excellence means showing up fully where God placed you, not trying to duplicate someone else’s journey.
Excellence is personal. It’s obedience in your season, with your resources, for God’s glory.
5. Forgetting Your “Why”
It’s easy to slip into striving when we forget the purpose behind our excellence. When our motives shift from honoring God to gaining applause, we trade worship for self-promotion. This subtle shift can drain our joy and derail our mission.
Scripture Reminder:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:10
Practical Ways to Pursue Excellence as Worship
Excellence as worship is a daily decision. It’s how we posture our hearts and direct our efforts to honor God in all that we do. Here are a few practical and grace-filled ways to walk in this:
1. Start Your Day with Prayer and Surrender
Before the emails, the meetings, the errands, and the to-do lists, start with God. Set the tone of your day by inviting Him into it. Surrender your plans, your time, and your energy. Ask, “Lord, be glorified in all I do today.”
This simple act re-centers your purpose and reminds you that your day is not just full of tasks, it’s full of opportunities to worship.
2. Create Systems and Routines that Honor Your Time and Calling
Excellence is often the result of intention and structure. Build routines that help you steward your time, energy, and talents well. Whether it’s meal prepping, blocking off creative time, or setting alarms for prayer, let your systems support your calling, not stifle it.
Your calendar can be an altar when it reflects your priorities with God at the center.
3. Set Boundaries So You’re Not Spread Too Thin
You can’t give your best when you’re constantly giving beyond your capacity. Boundaries protect your peace, your purpose, and your ability to offer excellence. Say “yes” to what aligns with your assignment, and give yourself permission to say “no” without guilt.
Rest is not lazy; it’s a form of worship when it reflects trust in God’s provision.
4. Do Regular Heart Checks
Ask yourself honestly: Am I doing this to glorify God, or to gain approval?
Am I offering my best to honor Him or am I striving for recognition, validation, or applause? Let the Holy Spirit reveal your motives gently and lead you back to purpose-driven excellence.
God is more concerned with your heart than your hustle.
5. Invite God into the Ordinary Moments
Sometimes the most powerful worship happens in the smallest tasks. Fold the laundry with intention. Write the email with grace. Walk into the meeting with prayer on your lips. Whisper:
“Be glorified in this, Lord.”
When you bring God into the moment, the mundane becomes meaningful.
Reflection and Application
Before rushing into the next thing, take time to pause. Sit with God and allow Him to gently reveal, refine, and renew your perspective on excellence as worship. Whether you’re journaling alone, sharing in a small group, or reflecting in quiet time these questions can help guide the journey inward and upward.
Reflective Questions:
Where in my life am I offering God my leftovers instead of my best?
– Are there areas where I’ve grown weary, careless, or distracted?What’s one area I can shift my mindset to see it as worship?
– How can I bring intention and reverence to my daily responsibilities?How can I redefine excellence in this season through God’s eyes?
– Am I trying to live up to the world’s standard or aligning with what God is asking of me right now?What does excellence with rest and grace look like for me?
– Where do I need to loosen the grip of perfectionism and lean into peace?Who benefits when I show up in excellence?
– How does my obedience impact those around me, even in unseen ways?
Remeber,
God is not asking for perfection, He’s asking for a willing heart.
Your ordinary moments done in love, humility, and purpose become offerings. Your dishes, your deadlines, your discipline, and even your downtime can glorify Him.
Excellence is about posture.
It’s about showing up with your whole heart and saying,
“God, I want You to be pleased with how I live, love, and labor.”
When you walk in excellence, not only does it honor God, it also draws others to His goodness, beauty, and truth.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Want to Go Deeper?
If today’s devotional stirred something in you, I’ve created a special bonus for those in the Patreon community. You’ll get:
A printable PDF with the full devotional
Creative journaling prompts to help you reflect with intention
A guided prayer to center your heart in worship
This resource is perfect for your quiet time, Bible study group, or creative journaling practice.
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Let’s keep pursuing excellence as worship together.
Grace and Peace,
CicelyRenee
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