Daily Jewel

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Mar. 28,2012

“Fending Off Attacks!” (Mediocrity)
“Above all else, guard your heart….it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

The media is flooded today with advertisements of products that can guarantee instant satisfaction without real time or effort. An example is an advertisement for a home organ that made the claim, "No tedious scales and finger exercises before you can play real music. You sit right down and play." Another ad by a bodybuilding company advertises, '"The beautiful, trim and powerful body you have always wanted with no sweat..."
Has the age of automation brought us to the day when hard work, long practice and demanding discipline are no longer required of one who would play music? Are we at the place where we can really be in good physical condition without any effort? It's doubtful, isn't it?
There is a word for this attitude—“Mediocrity.” The word, “mediocre” means: “moderate or inferior in quality…ordinary.” The word in that definition that bothers me the most is not the word, inferior, but the word, ordinary. The reason why it bothers me has to do with the fact that too often that is what we settle for in the Christian life—an ordinary, “no sweat” existence and relationship.
How often do we find this same "No-Sweat" attitude when it comes to developing a strong and mature faith? Jesus, in His call to discipleship, left no doubt in His followers' minds that being a disciple would have a cost. The Master talked about bearing crosses, commitment, self-denial, struggles—all those words we like to avoid, all of those experiences we often try to move away from experience.
The Apostle Paul also dealt with this—especially in the book of Colossians. Listen to what he says:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-4 (Emphasis mine)
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 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.” – Colossians 3:22-25 (Emphasis mine)
Mediocrity is saying okay is “good enough.” It is settling for the ordinary when there is much more to be had. When God told Abraham he had something in store for His people, he called what He was giving them, “The Promised Land.” It was, in all actuality the best land that there was to offer. If that was the case then—wouldn’t it stand to reason He only wants the best for us now? As the words to the chorus says: “He gave His life…what more could He give?”
The reason why mediocrity is a “passion thief” takes us back to the parable of the Sea Lion who lost the sea. During the parable he settles for a water hole which was much inferior to the sea. As long as he continued to stay there at the water hole he would not experience that which was far superior and live for what he was created for.
That is where the devil wants to keep us. He does not want us to experience the best because he knows once we do we will not want to go back to just, “okay.” That is why the tortoise told the sea lion he was fine where he was.
There is a cost for true discipleship, but the rewards are an abundant, full life, which will last for all eternity! Jesus told us He came to give us life to the full! (John 10:10) Isn't it worth 'sweating' a little for?
Pastor J. T. Carnell