The More Excellent Way

For some unusual reason most of my life has been spent trying to overachieve. The overwhelming desire to do so has been somewhat tamed, but like most of us, all of the defects we have will never be totally removed, it is in our nature to be of course, human beings.
We have some prime examples of good overachievers, and it starts with the apostle Paul. He was here, he was there, he was everywhere, and he almost ran himself into the ground on several occasions, including despairing of life itself. When we run that way on human power, not empowered by the Holy Spirit, we tend to flame out. If we remember correctly, he did tend to think his way was the right way, and God had to reel him in.
But Paul wrote of The More Excellent Way in his letter to the Philippians. He said in paraphrased words, if you have any encouragement in your relationship with Christ, have the same joy to serve and purpose that he had. Then he wrote the key to overachieving only as far as God would take us:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
That perspective change is the actual key to success in my life, getting out of the way (though still moving forward) and finding God's way rather than my own. Being humble, as Christ constantly preached and demonstrated in his own behavior, and not caring who got the credit for anything accomplished (all the praise and glory to Him), and has become the most excellent way to travel on.
Does it still wear you out, do we still feel somewhat spent most of the time? Of course, but when poured out, you begin to realize that this time it was for the right reason, and the Holy Spirit ignites us with new, fresh energy every day, led by that Spirit to tread on The More Excellent way that follows His path, in His direction, with His people who are way more important than we are.
Can't tell you how good I felt writing this, am about ready to jump for joy. But then I remembered my back pain and decided just to smile a lot. I will bet He is smiling too!