Don't Settle for Mediocrity

Mediocre comes from two Latin words, medius meaning “middle” and orcis meaning “rugged mountain”. If you were to translate it literally it means to stop halfway up to the summit of a difficult mountain. Meriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance”. Something that is mediocre might be described as passable, so-so, run-of-mill, or ordinary. Mediocrity often manifests itself as a compromise of our abilities and potential in search of a more comfortable, easy path.

Don’t settle for mediocrity. As Christ-followers we are called to run with strength and endurance as we live for our Lord. Consider also the example that Jesus has set for us. Here is a scripture that puts into perspective for us.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV

Now there is nothing mediocre about Jesus. He isn’t of low quality or ability. He certainly doesn’t fall into the category of so-so or passable. He most certainly didn’t stop halfway up the summit of a difficult mountain. Rather our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ marched up that hill called Golgtha enduring the shame and suffering of the cross. He didn’t give up or settle. He pressed on to fulfill His purpose until He could say, “It is finished (John 19:30).”

Now if the spirit of our Lord resides with us, how should we live? Should we settle for mediocrity? By no means! We are to the live with the same strength, passion, and endurance that our Lord displayed for us. He is the author and perfector of our faith, a faith that is anything but mediocre. Perhaps we avoid some hardship when settle in our faith, but we also miss the view from the top of the mountain. It’s a view and reward reserved for those who endure. Lately, you may have felt like settling for mediocrity in your walk with God. Don’t do it! Press on until you too can say, “It is finished!”

One Step Ahead of the Enemy

The show Hogan's Heroes is a good example of how Christians can stay a step ahead of the enemy. Hogan’s Heroes centers on Colonel Robert Hogan and his men that are POWs at a German prison camp. The group secretly uses the camp for espionage, sabotage, and to help Allied POWs from other camps escape. They do all this under the nose of the commanding German officer Colonel Clink. Hogan and his comrades are always one step ahead of Colonel Clink. Meanwhile, Clink always thinks he has Hogan cornered, right where He wants him, but He never does. Episodes end with Hogan and his heroes the victor and Colonel Clink looking like a fool.

Colonel Clink may not have his eye on us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have enemies. There is a great spiritual battle going on for the souls of men and women. They are forces working for our good and others working for our demise. However, you can be confident that God guards and guides those that are His, ensuring the enemy is not successful.

Let me remind you what God can do for us even when an enemy is knocking on the door. If Christians stick close to God, they will always stay one step ahead of the enemy (2 Kings 6:8-12). God will grant them more insight and wisdom than their enemies (Psalm 119:98). Even the very things intended to harm them can be worked for their good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20).

This is probably most apparent in life and ministry of Jesus. There were plenty of people out to get Jesus, but He could never be trapped, pigeon-holed, or forced to do what the enemy wanted.  Perhaps the enemy thought they had dealt a devasting blow when Jesus was crucified. Maybe they even thought they had won for a time. In reality, the victory was Christ the Lord's on the third day when He rose from the tomb. What looked like the enemy’s greatest victory was their greatest defeat.

As a Christian never forget who is on your side. When all is said and done God will be the victor and any that opposed Him will look foolish. Don’t fret about who is against you if God is for you. If God has you right where He wants you, the enemy never will.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7, ESV

Letting God Love You

God is love. Those of us who know Him personally proclaim that He is love, but do we allow Him to love us? Love is a two-way street. It's not just one party loving the other and the second doing nothing.  The love is true and real is when we allow the other person to love us too. 

Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)." We strive on a daily basis to keep those commandments. Sometimes we feel like we do ok, and other times we feel like we completely fail. Do we focus so much on striving to keep those commandments that we fail to allow God to love us?  Maybe the question is, how does God love us? We can all list the many blessings God has bestowed on us every day, but what if it is more than just blessings? 

Have we ever just sat in stillness with God, like you would with a friend on a park bench? Friends don't necessarily need to talk, sometimes they can just enjoy each other's company.  Have you ever seen a sunrise or a sunset that was so amazingly beautiful that it took your breath away or are we too busy to notice?  Our lives are meant to be lived loving God, and Him loving us.  Do we allow Him into the deepest depths of our hearts, or is He just allowed in a little way? 

What would we think of a relationship where a person loved us, but we were only allowed to love that person a little bit?  Would it be fulfilling to both people?  Would it be what both people would want?  God will always love us, all of us. Isn't it possible that us allowing His love into our entire lives is just as important to Him as us striving to love Him?  God will not force His love on us. It is our choice. It has always been our choice.  Only we can decide how much we will allow God to love us.  His love is immeasurable, and it is ours for the asking.  Have you ever just let God love you?

One Click Away

To say I am technologically challenged is an understatement. I know the bare minimum when it comes to procedures on the computer at my job. Recently I had to perform a closing task related to payroll. I pulled up the screened I needed to begin and no matter how many times I  went through the steps I could not progress beyond a certain point.

It became apparent I needed help. So I made a few phone calls and was unable to reach anyone. At this point I’m ready to give up and go home, but we are talking payroll here and everyone will be upset if their checks are delayed.

I go back to the phone and this time I reached a manager that walked me right through it. Turns out I was only one click away from the final screen that gave me what I needed to close out. This whole debacle got me wondering how many times I have been only one step away from success, and gave up too soon.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. -Galatians 6:9

I believe it is natural to want to see results from something we put effort into, but often times our work isn’t immediately apparent. That doesn’t mean we aren’t making a difference. God doesn’t operate on our time schedule. He isn’t required to give us the whole picture. Our prayers, words, and actions make a difference. Maybe not today or next week. Maybe not for years. If we are we following God’s will and growing in His love we move forward.

Who knows, maybe you are only one click away from success. One thing I know for sure, we will never reach our destination if we give up and never start the journey.

“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11