a few words on Mediocrity...

We honestly do live in a world that seems to be content with mediocrity... 'Give it a shot', and 'let the chips fall where they may'... I'm not talking about those who sincerely do their best, waking up every morning committed to doing and being all that God wants for them to be... We know those people, they stand out!

The huge crowd that does NOT stand out is the crowd of mediocrity. Mediocrity tells us to 'settle for the average, don't reach higher and demand more of yourself'... mediocrity does not seek first doing it God's way.

These things I know...

... God is not lazy
... God is not careless
... God is not sloppy
... God does not procrastinate
... God doesn't makes excuses...
... God doesn't do a job half-way
... God does not bow to the crowd
... God doesn't alter His words according to who He is with

...You get the idea... our standard as His children is such that the bar can't ever be raised higher than who He is and what He has said. His life is perfect!

In our culture today, excellence is not the bottom line goal. Usually it's about money, or fame, or power. Lots of the heroes that we have elevated are unworthy of the title. Many of them are lost on the inside and riding along on a wave that will crash at some point. UNLESS... their faith is in the God who changes lives.

I'm pretty sure that mediocrity is one of the biggest tools in satan's toolbox... 'Just do the job, it doesn't have to be great, just get through it' ... or 'say just enough in a conversation so you don't ruffle anyone's feathers, especially when you are talking about Jesus.'... or 'get out the magazine you've been eyeballing, you know your quiet time can wait, maybe till later when you're more 'focused'...

Mediocrity is full of excuses! Excellence goes after whatever the task at hand is, wanting it to be your best effort!... HE stopped at nothing, including the cross, to be sure it was all done right. He wants and expects us to give Him our very best.... and He deserves nothing less!

I always cringe at the verse that says "Because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth"... There have been many many times when I know I have deserved to be 'spit out of His mouth!'... I know how easy it is to be lukewarm... mediocre. And NO... I refuse to settle for mediocrity in my life!

When I give Him my best.... not only is He pleased... but I am happy and blessed in my own heart. Obedience to God's standard of excellence brings about the very peace of God that we so desire. He knows we aren't going to be perfect, but He expects us to give Him our best, our willingness, our obedience to do it HIS way... not the way of mediocrity!...

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism." (NIV)

"Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work." (Col.3:22-25 MSG)