Mom4Truth

Mediocrity.

Dictionary.com defines it as: Of only moderate quality; not very good.

I can’t think of many areas in life in which we strive only for or celebrate mediocrity. The Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines mediocrity this way: A middle state or degree; a moderate degree or rate. A mediocrity of condition is most favorable to morals and happiness. He says, “We owe obedience to the law of reason, which teacheth mediocrity in meats and drinks.” Now, we owe no obedience to the “law of reason” as many Desists claim, however, we do owe obedience to God’s Word, which, in the like, teaches mediocrity in meats and drinks.

Having said this, I see this as the only area where mediocrity should be encouraged. In sports, we never cheer for the player who’s playing only mediocre. In business, the mediocre employee would be hard-pressed to receive anything more than a cost-of-living pay raise. In agriculture, mediocrity would mean the starvation of a planet of people. And yet, people practice mediocrity in the most fundamental aspects of life: marriage, parenting, and the worst of all, living out their faith.

Why is it that the arm-chair quarterback “Christian” couldn’t tell you the last time he picked up his Bible, nor what passage he read, but he cleaves to his big-screen and can tell you every stat for every player in the NFL?

Why is that the stay-at-home wife and Julia Child-wannabe can recite any of her best recipes, but couldn’t recite one verse of Scripture that wasn’t printed out on her coffee mug?

And why is it that a young mother can tell you every ribbon her child has received, but couldn’t tell you one iota of the essence of her child’s faith?

When it comes to God, faith, and obedience, we accept mediocrity. And we expect God to do the same!

Why is your “faith” nothing more than a Sunday morning romp with your friends? Why is all that God gets from you are tears in your eyes as you sing “You are worthy to be praised”? Is He worthy to be praised? And, if so, why is He not worth every bit of crucifying of your flesh?

Choosing to follow after the Lord and walk in obedience should disrupt every aspect of your life! It should cause you to question every decision, every word, every action, every detail of your life. Do you have behaviors that aren’t righteous? Do you have books in your home, music in your home, that don’t please the Holy God? Do you profess Him and live like a hypocrite? Do you play video games and watch every movie at the theater? Does your faith consist of nothing more than a ‘Jesus’ bumper sticker on your car? If the world saw you, would you look different? Or would you look just like them? Before you answer that, think about it. What about your life looks different? Your dress, your speech, your choice in activities, your marriage, your children?

Why do you dare to live out your faith with such mediocrity? You think your “liberty” won’t be a stench in His nostrils? He is Holy! He calls us to be Holy! ARE YOU HOLY?

Sin is not the question here- we will fall. Iniquity is the message. Willful, deliberate, ongoing sin- disobedience, rebellion, idolatry, wantonness, stubbornness, pride, covetousness, lying, lasciviousness, filthy talk, licentiousness, vanity…mediocrity. These should not reign in your hearts, dear Christian.

Stop wasting God’s time! If you aren’t committed to allowing His will, his purpose, His plan to ruining all of yours- you are wasting His time. You cannot expect your mediocre works to stand before an Holy God!

We are told that our works will be tried by fire. Some will be refined and made more beautiful and some will burn up and burn away.

So, what about yours: Gold or Grass?