Photo courtesy of Monik Markus.

We hope you enjoy this re-post from May 22, 2014. Be blessed! The Today’s Quote From God Team

When the Philistine came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. – 1 Samuel 17:48, Amplified Bible (AMP)

Excellent people are all around us, and Drucilla Meier is a perfect example.

A veterinarian student at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, Drucilla captains one of the nation’s – and the world’s – elite collegiate skeet shooting teams. Leading a team of shooters with state, national, and world titles to their credit, Drucilla won her first world title in 2012.

Shreiner’s shooting team regularly competes with schools much, much larger. Schreiner University, as of Fall 2013, had a total enrollment of 1,136 students. Yet, as Drucilla mentioned during her interview with Texas County Reporter, she has competed with students from the likes of Clemson University (+/- 20,000 students) , the University of Georgia (+/- 35,000 students), and Florida State University (+/- 41,500 students). How can a tiny school like Schreiner University compete with behemoths like Clemson, UGA, and FSU? The answer is dedication.

Dedication to passion, to purpose, and to practice is what transforms the mediocre person into a beacon of excellence. Much like Drucilla’s dedication has led to her sporting excellence, our dedication to Christ will lead us to Christian excellence. David slayed Goliath not because of his human size, stature, or strength. He slayed Goliath because he was dedicated to his passion (God), he was dedicated to his purpose (honoring God), and he was dedicated to practicing his faith in God, no matter what. (Incidentally, David was also dedicated to practicing his skills with the slingshot. It’s not like David had just picked up a slingshot for the first time when he ran full speed at Goliath!) In return for his dedication, God rewarded David with victory, and through his victory David has inspired millions throughout the centuries to be excellent for God.

Of course, we ought also to be dedicated to God as our passion, to God as our purpose, and to God as our practice – not in hopes of being famous or inspiring, but in hopes of pleasing the Savior who gave up everything for our souls. If we do so dedicate ourselves, then we will be obedient to Christ in both the easy times and in the hard times, and when we are obedient, we are excellent in God’s eyes, no matter what anyone else may think.