Mediocrity comes from the Latin “medius” meaning middle, and “ocris” meaning rugged mountain. Literally translated it means to settle halfway to the summit of a difficult mountain. Mediocrity is a compromise of one’s abilities and potential. It’s the urge to stop short instead of pursuing excellence. Mediocrity will only take you halfway to your destination and will always leave you half of the person you were created to be.
None of us were created by God to be mediocre. Mediocrity is not a Christian ethic. Consider for a moment Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. There is nothing mediocre about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He had to walk the hardest path and traverse the toughest route. The burdens He had to bear were immeasurable and the pain he felt was excruciating while He suffered for the sins of the entire world. If anyone had the reason or right to stop short, it was Jesus. Who would have blamed Him? But His mission was not one of mediocrity. He didn't just go halfway up His mountain. Rather He marched to the top of that old hill called Golgatha and He hung on that old rugged cross til at last He could declare, "It is finished!". Do you remember the words of that precious hymn?
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
And I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
If this is the example of our savior, then we must reflect it too. Don't settle for mediocrity. Don't just go halfway up the mountain. Carry your cross and follow Jesus. Keep going and finish your God-given task until you, like Jesus, can say, "It is finished". You were made for more than mediocrity.