We distinguish the excellent man from the common man by saying that the former is the one who makes great demands upon himself, and the latter is one who makes no demands on himself.

Jose Ortega y Gasset, Spanish philosopher and essayist (1883-1955)

What a thought-provoking quote! I discovered it on my friend Tina’s blog. You may have seen her mentioned here from time to time, and some of you have checked out her own very fine blog. If not, you can do so here.  There is enough good stuff here to keep you occupied for quite some time.

Here is what Tina had to say:

Most of us want to be thought of as excellent–in our work, in our example, in our efforts and ethics, in our health and appearance and in our outlook on life. We want to be excellent parents, excellent friends, excellent employees, supervisors, managers or leaders.  We don’t want to be common in the sense it was used in this thought, as unexceptional, mediocre and unimpressive. (The examples we see of that condition are enough to motivate us!)

Señor Ortega y Gasset was correct: Achieving excellence (or even improving substantially) requires making demands on ourselves–perhaps asking of ourselves actions that are difficult or uncomfortable mentally or physically, or that require time and effort. It’s rarely easy. Most of us have to say, ”I want this from you, Mind, Body and Spirit. I know you can give it to me and I won’t settle for less, so do it!”

What do you want to demand of yourself today, this week or in the coming year?  It doesn’t have to be a dramatic accomplishment to be worthy of demanding more. Maybe just a new or renewed good habit, stopping one thing and starting something else, being your best self even when you are tempted to be otherwise. It’s all worth the effort, and all of it will give you a wonderful sense of  achievement.

Remember, you can’t hint or hope, even to yourself, and expect to achieve. You will have to command, insist and refuse to accept anything less than what you want.  That is the ultimate self-discipline that leads to excellence.  Be demanding!

I fear that some people use their “spirituality” as an excuse not to place any demands on themselves. It’s easy to sit still and say that you are waiting on the Lord, trusting in his grace alone, or any other popular expression that is often heard in church world. Clearly there are times to be quiet, wait, pray and rest. Those common phrases we so glibly toss around can also be a good excuse for laziness.  There is no conflict between a Spirit-filled life of prayer and good, old-fashioned hard work.

Reflecting on Tina’s remarks, I thought of some of the Apostle Paul’s words. He was certainly a Spirit-filled man of prayer and faith, yet he was also a man who placed the highest demands on himself. Consider the following samples and you be the judge.

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1 Corinthians 9:27)

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

(1 Corinthians 15:10)