The Two Pillars

Over the past few years there are 2 key ingredients that have come to transform the way I approach worship ministry and my life.  I view these things as the "pillars" of living lives of worship.  They are the "Presence" of God and "Excellence" in whatever we do.
I emphasize these two things with the worship team (band & vocals) frequently.  My stance is this: "If all we have is excellence and no presence, we're just another skilled band.  And if all we have is presence and no excellence, we're a group of people who pursue God and make noise for Him.  As Christ followers, 'Presence & Excellence' are inseparable.  We're ineffective for the Kingdom if these aren't active in our lives at home, work place, in worship, etc."  (Just to be clear, Excellence is not perfection, but Excellence is perfected by Presence.  We are not perfect, but we can be excellent in whatever we do and when accompanied by the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit it is made perfect.) 
A really great example of all this is David (read 1 Samuel 16:14-23; 17:32-50).  I made a few observations from these passages.
1. David, an excellent musician carried the presence of God and was used to bless the king.
2. King Saul said David was too young and inexperienced to fight Goliath, but David was an experienced, excellent shepherd who had killed lions & bears.  David knew that God would make him victorious.
3. David didn't use the armor & sword of the king, but used his staff & slingshot to defeat Goliath.  God used him where he was most proficient.
4. When David fought Goliath, his faith & assurance was not in his own skill/proficiency, but in the Lord.  But God was able to use David because he was proficient/excellent with a sling.  God's presence perfected his excellent skills.
Father, help us all to live in Your presence and live lives of excellence for Your glory and honor.  Amen