There's a world all around us that exudes stagnancy, impurity, failure, and monotony.

And here we are, being people who stand for something completely different, while at times feeling as though we aren't even standing.

Choosing excellence, however, is our calling. It is God's desire for His daughters and sons to be a distinction amongst the world that He has spoken into existence.

(There are a few levels that I have been able to gather understanding from, when viewing the world as an area of growth through opposition. Aside from using my own experiences, I will couple it with that of Peter's, from scripture, to express this particular heartbeat of God.)

I will call the first one of choosing excellence, conquering the pounding.

Conquering the pounding refers to the period of time, the instances, the people who consistently, like waves, interrupt our clear pursuit.

Throughout this life with Jesus we hear His voice, we follow His lead, and we live accordingly. Well that is until we have the world facing us. And if there's one thing that is true about living for Jesus, it is that opposition does not look like a little knock at the door, it is an incessant pounding that can easily distract us. When we are not careful, distraction becomes our focus and our focus overtakes us. The pounding isn't just something for us to ignore though, it is our position, as daughters and sons, to silence it through faith and the pursuit of Jesus.

In Matthew 14:22-36 let's look at three main articles, Jesus, the storm/waves, and Peter. As the disciples were in a boat, a part from Jesus, a storm was causing the waves to toss the boat here and there. Yet, Jesus walks through the waves to them. When He is seen at a distance, Peter calls out to Jesus for His leading. Peter's invitation to come is received and Peter steps onto the water towards His Lord. He was completely walking on water just as Jesus was until the moments of fear crept into His mind. At this Peter sunk into the lake. With a cry out, Jesus immediately reached into save Him. At that they reached the boat and the waves ceased.

In amazement I read this biographical section of Peter's life and I think of my own. How at one moment I am overcome with the calling to be with Jesus and at the next, I am overcome with the pounding of my circumstances. The thing is, those circumstances were already there. They didn't just show up when we decided to pursue Jesus. The pounding will always be there, but will we be able to overcome the pounding or will it overcome us? Conquering the pounding has everything to do with us faithfully pursuing Jesus. Not ignorance and not bliss, it's the pursuit of Jesus where our eyes are not moved from His. Daily, we will stand, and daily we will fall. The faith depositing news is that He will always conquer and is always on our side. For "Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and lifted Him up."

Excellence comes through conquering the pounding. And I say this as a learner, as a student of the Gospel, that everyday is an allurement to pursue Him and chase God-dreams or to be overwhelmed and pulled down. And we have the ability to be the distinction, to choose excellence.