November 17, 2025
Joseph – Faith That Carries You Through
Devotions from the Life of a Dreamer with Character
20.A Spirit of Excellence
How God Works Great Things Through Excellence in the Small
Daily Bible Verse
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Colossians 3:23
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Introduction
Joseph – Excellence in Chains
Picture the scene:
A young man in chains.
His dreams lie shattered like glass on the floor of a prison cell.
The air is heavy, the light dim, hope—nearly gone.
And yet… this is not a broken man.
This is someone being shaped. In secret. For something great.
Joseph—a dreamer—trapped between the mockery of the past and the silence of the present.
A man forgotten by people—
but prepared by God.
While others die inwardly in the dungeon,
Joseph makes a decision:
If I must serve, I will serve with dignity.
If I must work, then let my work honor heaven.
No one sees him.
No applause. No title. No salary.
Just hard work—and a quiet presence:
God is there.
Not only in the palace—but also in the prison.
What Joseph did, he didn’t do to shine,
but because he knew who God is.
In every sweep of the broom, in every decision,
in every word to his fellow prisoners,
he lived a faith that held—and carried him through.
And this is where true excellence begins:
Not in the throne room, but in the depths.
Not on the stage, but in the shadows.
Not when it pays off, but because God is worth it.
Excellence is not a goal for special people—
it is God’s call to anyone who is willing
to live with integrity, even when no one is watching.
God saw Joseph in the prison—
and shaped him into a man He could entrust with an empire.
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Joseph’s Journey: – The Path of Excellence
1. Excellence in Humiliation
Joseph’s path didn’t start in the palace but in the valley of rejection.
Sold by his own brothers, he ends up as a slave in Potiphar’s house.
And what does he do there? He doesn’t complain.
He gets to work. He organizes. He leads. He serves.
He makes the best of the worst—with excellence.
“The Lord blessed all that he did.” (Genesis 39:3)
2. Excellence Despite Injustice
When Joseph resists temptation, he isn’t rewarded—he’s condemned.
He loses everything and is thrown into prison.
Yet again: no bitterness, no rebellion.
He continues to serve. He does what he finds to do—as best as he can.
“The prison was brought into order because of Joseph.”
(Joseph wasn’t a victim of circumstance—he became a bringer of order.)
3. Excellence in Obscurity
For two years, nothing visible happens.
No sign, no miracle, no escape.
Only daily service. Ongoing responsibility.
But this is where Joseph’s character is proven.
Not his dreams saved him—his faithfulness did.
4. Excellence at the Moment of Calling
When the call comes—“Pharaoh wants to see you!”—
Joseph is ready. Not arrogant. Not desperate.
He shows up the same way he has lived: humble. Clear. Strong. Excellent.
“It is not in me—God will give Pharaoh an answer.” (Genesis 41:16)
5. Excellence in the Assignment
Joseph was not elevated to shine,
but to manage, protect, and rescue.
His journey had a purpose: to become a channel of blessing for many.
And that’s why God could exalt him so far—
because he had proven in the small what would hold up in the great.
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What Does Excellence Mean for Us Today?
Excellence isn’t being the loudest or the best—it’s being the most faithful.
It’s the decision to do the right thing well, even without applause, because it’s for God.
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What Can We Learn From Joseph?
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Work as for the Lord
Your work—whether seen or unseen—is God’s stage to reflect His character through you. -
Excellence Begins in Secret
The years in prison were not wasted—they shaped Joseph’s leadership style. -
Dedication Shapes Influence
Whoever is faithful with little can be entrusted by God with much. (Luke 16:10) -
Don’t Work for Recognition—Work from Calling
Joseph didn’t live for applause but from the awareness that he was God’s instrument.
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Practical Steps Toward Excellence in Daily Life
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Start each day with the prayer:
“Lord, today I want to serve You—in everything.” -
Ask yourself: Am I doing my tasks half-heartedly or with dedication?
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Set small quality standards in your daily life—punctuality, order, reliability.
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Choose integrity, even when no one is watching.
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Practical Questions for Reflection
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Where is God calling you to excellence—even when no one notices?
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Are there areas where you’re just “functioning” instead of serving with passion?
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How would your everyday life change if you consciously worked “for the Lord”?
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Prayer
Lord,
Teach me to be faithful in what You give me today.
Not to be seen, but to honor You.
Help me to live excellence—in attitude, dedication, and heart.
Make me ready to be a vessel for Your Kingdom,
no matter where I currently stand.
Amen.
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Key Thought of the Day
Excellence doesn’t begin in the spotlight,
but in the hidden place—before the eyes of God.
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Blessing to Close
The God who shaped Joseph in the depths
and gave him a spirit of excellence,
bless you also.
May He strengthen your hands for small tasks,
and fill your heart with passion for what is unseen.
May He give you the strength to live not for applause,
but for His glory—in the hidden and the visible.
May the Holy Spirit go with you,
so that your thoughts are clear, your character firm,
and your service a fragrance pleasing to heaven.
May you remain faithful in today
and be prepared for the tomorrow
that God has planned for you.
So may your life become a testimony of excellence,
born from the presence of God.
Amen.
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