Not Perfect But Excellent

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

It’s amazing how often I hear people confuse excellence with perfection. My feedback about uncomfortable situations is frequently met with the response, “I’m only human. I’m not perfect.” Exactly! But isn’t that the point?

Here in our text, Peter is addressing a church that is suffering. They feel the social pressures of the day. Perhaps the people and situations around them are causing chaos, grief, and discomfort. Peter wants to restore hope that is found in Christ alone. In doing so, he reminds his audience about who they are in Christ and the need for Christlike behavior and endurance.1 Even through our suffering we can be and do what is right in challenging situations. In my estimation, this is a form of excellence.

According to the Collins English Dictionary, excellence is defined as (a) the state or quality of excelling or being exceptionally good; extreme merit; superiority; (b) an action, characteristic, feature, etc., in which a person excels. I see nothing in this definition about perfection. I do see the opportunity to cultivate a quality or characteristic with intention. It seems to me that Peter was encouraging his audience to strive to do better regardless of what is happening around them. Regardless of how we have to suffer, there is a way for us to excel in the love of God in the midst of a fallen world. Tall order? Sure. Impossible? Absolutely not!

As I ponder this text, Peter has to remind folks of who they are in Christ — i.e., a royal priesthood. Like them, we’ve been set apart. This setting apart is not because we are perfect. It is because God wishes to perfect the things that concern us (Psalm 138:8). He wants to fulfill through us the good work He has started.

Let’s say that you have begun painting a feature wall in your home. You know the result may not be as perfect as a skilled artist with paint, but you have faith you will complete the job and it will be great.

• Even though you are not as skilled as the artist, are you still going to give your best to the job?

• If you discover a mistake, would you take the steps needed to correct it?

Why? I would assume it’s important to you to complete the good work you have started. Well, we are the good work that has been created by the Most High God. He is still not finished with the good work He has created us for. Do we pull back from the good work He’s doing with our excuses around imperfection?

Given our imperfections, shouldn’t we be humble enough to work on improving ourselves for excellence — as a way to honor our excellent God? It may be challenging if we tell ourselves that making mistakes is the problem. That is not the problem. If we can be honest and forthright about it and willing to do all that we can to correct it, we will find a solution that is God-honoring. The problem is now in God’s hands, and He will perfect what concerns us. I think I said that already. Worth repeating, eh?

Perhaps it’s easier to hide behind our imperfect badge as a way to excuse ourselves from changing those things we actually have the power to change. Here are two things to ponder when it comes to imperfection and excellence:

First, the shed blood of Jesus is proof that we could never be perfect no matter how hard we try. He died for our sins because He knew we could never be perfect. He stood in as the perfect sacrifice in our place. He died for us so we could live abundantly. Many of us are looking for abundance in all the wrong places. We have to realize that lasting abundance comes only through a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. Such a relationship offers perspective for this world and the one to come. This relationship molds, upholds, cultivates, and satiates the soul so much that we want nothing other than excellence in how we move and how others move with us.

I think it’s quite wonderful to simultaneously be imperfect and excellent people of God. Before a watching world, people can see that I’m imperfect, always in need of a Savior, and yet excellent in my service to a God who looks past my imperfections and still calls me to live for Him. You can be certain that you will make mistakes, but you can also be certain and determined to strive for excellence in all you do. It’s simply a decision.

Second, doing what you do to please God automatically leads to excellence —God’s way. The way we treat others, our work ethic, our approach to conflict, our approach to praise, what we do when nobody’s looking, our motives, and even our belief system can expose whether we’re living for self or for God. Excellence within an imperfect person manifests itself in a variety of ways…

• Choosing integrity over impressing others

• Feeling conviction and dealing with it immediately

• Not needing to have the last word – allowing Jesus to answer for you what He wants revealed.

• Building a lifestyle where the peace of God is the goal. Peace must be the umpire when making decisions. Also, recognizing that peace often brings chaos in spaces where Jesus is not the center.

• You recognize that you do not know everything. You operate as a lifelong learner who is curious and intentional about maturing spiritually. You realize only God is all-knowing and perfect.

God has equipped us to excel in our service to Him, even though He knew full well we would never be perfect.

In our imperfection, let’s choose to give God our best and our all— in everything we do! He died for us because we are worth something to Him…is He worth us taking the necessary steps to be more excellent in our ways?

Dear Lord,

We approach Your throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. You, Lord, are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. It is by Your grace that we have been saved and called to a holy life. There is nothing we can do to earn Your grace. We are thankful that we do not have to be perfect to be received and loved by You. And although we can never be perfect, the reassurance of Your grace gives us room to breathe. It gives us momentum to put forth the effort to live in a way that honors You. Your grace is the fuel behind the transformation only You can provide in us. Excellence is not so much about external outcomes as it is an internal allegiance to You, our Excellent God. Be glorified in us, O Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1

Paul A. Himes, 1 Peter, ed. Douglas Mangum, Elizabeth Vince, and Abigail Salinger, Logos Research Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2026)

This post was written by TC Alum and Substack writer, Rev. Dr. Carrie D. Hudson. Carrie is an ordained minister, board-certified Christian life coach and trained spiritual director. She is an Ashland Theological Seminary alum having received two graduate degrees there and serving as an Associate Dean. Carrie is the founder of Mahogany Soul Care, LLC where she offers an integrated approach to soul care, combining pastoral care, Black Church theology, non-clinical racial healing, spiritual direction, and Christian life coaching. This Christ-centered journey of spiritual formation equips women to move from flailing to flourishing, from performance to presence, and from woundedness to wholeness for the glory of God.

Reverend Dr. Carrie D. Hudson is the loving wife of Reverend Kevin L. Hudson. Proudly blended, they have two adult sons, and one adult daughter. Follow her work at