It’s annoying how things about oneself are so much more
obvious to others. I have often said that I am a perfectionist in certain
areas, and this is true, but I’ve also become aware that there are a number of
areas in my life where I am very content with mediocrity. I’m thankful my
friends and family have been so gracious and longsuffering with these things.
I am blessed to have loved so much of my life. I have made bold statements with the connotation that I am not willing to settle for mediocrity. But when I look at reality, I see that I am absolutely settling for what is unmistakably mediocre in some areas.
The Oxford Languages defines mediocre this way: “of only moderate quality; not very good.”
I always tend to think of mediocre as being OK. Not the best, but certainly good enough. Where did this “not very good” definition come in at?
Not only do I have a vast catalogue of traits that I would define as mediocre, I have another list of traits that are even less than mediocre. Could I change these traits? Likely some of them. Am I putting in the effort? Don’t ask.
But then I have the nerve to say I am not happy with a life of mediocrity.
To not live a life of mediocrity, one has to put in a lot of work. And that work is where I’m sure my ideals of exceptionality and the reality of mediocrity clash.
There are a lot of people living in mediocrity. Some of them realize it and some of them don’t. We’ve all seen them, though. Those who are not living in the fullness they could experience.
Mediocre youth groups
Mediocre friendships
Mediocre teaching careers
Mediocre housekeeping
Mediocre marriages
Mediocre joy
Mediocre spirituality
But mediocre is not very good. Why do so many people just go along with the flow of mediocrity?
I think mediocre is easy to settle for because it’s the default mode when one is relying on one’s own strength. To live exceptionally is only possible when we’re living in pursuit of God. Mediocrity is easy.
Mediocrity is often experienced when we are concerned about ourselves. When I don’t feel that my relationships are giving me what I deserve. When my youth group isn’t as fun as I wish it was. When I expect others to put in the work in a friendship. When I’m teaching just to fill in time until something better comes along and I’ve forgotten that it’s a service to God. When housekeeping has become a chore and not an honorable pursuit. When what I want is joy but I’m stuck chasing temporal happiness. When spiritual life is sprinkled liberally with pieces of self I’m not willing to surrender.
Sometimes mediocrity can be traced back to a certain laziness where we are unwilling to deny self. Sometimes it’s a form of pride. Sometimes mediocrity can be a lack of faith in the vision of God as the Giver of Good.
But I don’t think God intended for us to live in a mediocre state. He wants to stretch us, to grow us, to move us into an exceptional life.
2 Corinthians 8:7 says “Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
Daniel 5 speaks of an excellent spirit. Colossians 3 tells us “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily.” And in 1 Peter 2:9 we read this: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Abound.
Heartily
Chosen.
Royal.
Holy.
Marvelous.
Those don’t sound like mediocre words. They sound like something special. Something valued. Something that is far from the ordinary and mundane.
Yet here we are, too many of us, living a life where we are content with less than exceptional. Or at least we tell ourselves we are content.
I believe that it’s God’s desire for us to grow beyond our comfort zones into a life of more. But I don’t know the answers for how to move out of mediocrity and into amazing. Maybe I don’t know the answer because it could be a little different for each one of us.
It might mean putting effort into spiritual maturity. Maybe it’s in denying myself of the effort I’ve put into my interests and learning to value relationships more. It could be in simply opening my heart in vulnerability.
And so I say I don’t want a mediocre life, but am I willing to prove that with my actions? Imagine how brightly our light could shine for Jesus if we all, collectively, turned our complete desire toward having an exceptional relationship with Him.
Don’t be fooled—even when you are living an exceptional life, it won’t always feel exceptional. Exceptional lives are built in choosing to rise above temptation in a moment of darkness. Exceptional friendships occur when you choose to stay and work through the misunderstandings and disagreements. Exceptional joy is a result of choosing to believe in God’s goodness again and again, even when the trail is barely visible for the thorns.
God did not call us to mediocrity. He’s called us to something greater. And the beauty of it is that we needn’t strive for this on our own. We have each other to fill in the gaps, to uphold us, to direct us on the way, and we have God Himself, who will lend us His strength as we do our humble best to fill the vision He has for each one of us.
