It reminds me of Jesus . . .

Here's a quote I've heard used in connection with secular leadership development and team-building: "Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical; and expecting more than others think is possible.” But what does this really mean?

"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise . . ." this sounds like unconditional love and caring compassion. And it reminds me of Jesus. It reminds me of the 7th chapter of Luke where we are told of Jesus having dinner at the home of one of the Pharisees.

"When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is -- that she is a sinner.'"

Jesus goes on to remind Simon, the Pharisee, that he had neglected the familiar courtesies extended to guests -- footwashing, anointing with oil, and the kiss of greeting. The sinful woman, however, lavished tears, expensive perfume, and kisses on her Saviour. Jesus says, "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven -- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Do I care more than others think is wise? Am I caring and compassionate?

"Excellence is the result of risking more than others think is safe . . ." this sounds like boldness to me. And it reminds me of Jesus. In Luke 14, He talks about the cost of discipleship. "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple . . . Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"

Discipleship requires our total submission to Jesus, and often that includes making sacrifices in order to stand up for Christ. Christians cannot afford to lose their distinctive saltiness -- we are to be bold witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do I risk more than others think is safe? Am I a bold witness?

"Excellence is the result of dreaming more than others think is practical . . ." this sounds like vision to me. And it reminds me of Jesus. In the 8th chapter of John, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees bring an adulterous woman before Jesus. "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"

Jesus' reply is a familiar one to us: "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Her accusers then began to leave one by one until all were gone. Then Jesus said, "Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin."

Jesus didn't condemn the woman, but He also didn't ignore her sin. He is ready to forgive any of our sins, if only we confess and turn from them. But to me, this passage is about much more than confession and forgiveness. Jesus had a vision of her life, the life God wanted for her, that perhaps she was even unable to see. He knew that she could turn from her adulterous lifestyle. He had a vision of God's best for her life. Do I dream more than others think is practical? Do I have a vision of God's best for me?

"Excellence is the result of expecting more than others think is possible . . ." this sounds like faith to me. And it reminds me of Jesus. The disciples were unable to heal a demon-possessed boy in the 17th chapter of Matthew, and they asked Jesus why they had failed. His reply was, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Jesus knew how important faith would be in the future ministry of the disciples. Their faith would keep them going as they worked for the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church. If they encountered a problem that seemed as immovable as a mountain, they were to turn their focus instead to Christ. Do I expect more than others think is possible? Do I have an expectant faith in Christ?

So let's go back to the quote from the beginning of this story which defines excellence as compassion, boldness, vision, and faith. Perhaps the real definition of excellence is Jesus. After all, He is our example of compassion for the marginalized, boldness for the Gospel, vision for God's best, and faith that can move mountains. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 11, reminds us, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Follow Christ. His is the more excellent way.