One morning in India a word came into my head.
Because the word was so perfectly formed and profound I presumed it was from the Lord. I could not have thought of this idea of ‘excellence’.
‘Doing what you do well builds a well.’
That evening I was ministering to some young Indian University students due to go to Engineering school.
They were concerned about God’s plan for their life and whether they should do mechanical or electrical engineering.
I shared the word I received that morning and told them to do what was in front of them well and God would honour that. Doing whatever they chose, well, would give them favour and create a reservoir they could draw upon to sustain themselves in the future.
It would not matter whether they chose electrical or mechanical engineering, God would bless what they did, if they did it well.
This word gave those students great comfort. A spirit of confusion was replaced with a spirit of excellence and a renewed sense of purpose.
The example of my life
When I was younger I wanted to be a professional cricketer. I was never good enough. I then found myself struggling at science subjects and by default ended up doing an accounting degree.
Accounting was not very exciting but I tried to do it well. And because I did accounting well other doors opened for me. Eventually I was able to delegate all the boring accounting tasks and move into areas of business that were more interesting.
I loved formulating strategy and building business plans. I got involved in some large investment business cases, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, and I loved it.
Those opportunities would not have opened up if I hadn’t done basic accounting well. When you are struggling to know what God’s purpose is for your life there is a simple answer. Just do what is in front of you well. This will open doors for you.
God’s purpose for your life
Five years ago, God spoke to me powerfully about setting up a new media vehicle in New Zealand called The Daily Encourager.
I strongly believed this was a God calling on my life and left my job three and a half years ago to pursue this assignment. However, being in God’s purpose for your life doesn’t make life any easier. God doesn’t outline every step and timing like a well laid out project plan.
God doesn’t provide all the resources you think you need according to your timetable. His plans and thoughts are much deeper.
Isaiah 55:8 NIV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
God is more interested in the development of your character, than whether you have met your key milestones or achieved your key performance indicators.
Each step forward is balanced with faith and risk and in turn your reliance and trust in the Lord has to increase. Each day is still a mystery and I have made mistakes along the way and learned from them. As we walk in faith the problems don’t get any smaller or the challenges any easier.
But I know that God is the better than God. He always has something better for you than your plans.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
And I have learnt a secret. If you do what is in front of you to the best of your ability. And if you commit what you are doing to the Lord, how can you go wrong?
Psalm 37:5-6 NIV
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
Wayne Graham worked in the media for more than 30 years before leaving to follow a call to set up The Daily Encourager, a values-based media showcasing the best of New Zealand society. He has a passion for Jesus, enjoys walking, ball sports, the arts and song writing.
Wayne worked in the media for more than 30 years before leaving to follow a call to set up The Daily Encourager, a values based media showcasing the best of New Zealand society. He has a passion for Jesus, enjoys walking, ball sports, the arts and song writing.