Excellence

February 12, 2024

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

Hello MAC Family! Last Sunday was the Super Bowl. I am sure many of you watched it, while others didn’t particularly care about it. One thing for sure-to get to the level of the two best teams, the players have to be focused, dedicated, and striving to achieve a level of excellence. I admire pro athletes and their focus on being the best.

I wish as a pastor, and as a church, there was a way of measuring “being our best.”- “striving for excellence.” Maybe it is something we can only evaluate on the inside-how much of our heart was poured into it.

Joe Theismann enjoyed a great 12-year career as an NFL quarterback, especially his years with the Washington Redskins (now the Washington Commanders). He led the team to two Super Bowl appearances--winning in 1983 before losing the following year. He was the NFL's MVP in 1983. When a leg injury forced him out of football in 1985, he is still Washington's all-time leading passer with over 25,000 yards.

But near the end of Theismann's career, he learned a valuable lesson that he admits now. “I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn't care whether a pass hit Art Monk (#81, one of his favorite receivers) in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything. Today I wear my two rings--the winner's ring from Super Bowl XVII and the loser's ring from Super Bowl XVIII. The difference in those two rings lies in applying oneself and not accepting anything but the best. “

Pretty honest talk from Mr. Theismann. He is talking about striving for excellence. “Not accepting anything but the best” is how he defines it. Some would say Theismann was a great player-an excellent player. But excellence is more than potential. It is the execution of that potential. Beyond raw talent, excellence needs training, excellence needs discipline, excellence needs inspiration, excellence needs drive.

Whatever you are, be the best you can be at it. If what you are doing is worth doing, if you believe that who you are is of value, then you can't afford to be content with mediocrity. When you choose the path of excellence through this life, you bring your best and receive the best it can offer in return. And you will know what it is to be satisfied. Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.

God is a God of excellence, who made a perfect world and created people in His image. We bring honor and glory to Him when we strive for excellence. Be well today my friends. MAC Family-we should strive to do our utmost for His Highest. God deserves our absolute best! Strive for excellence and rest in His grace. That’s the best way to live.