When Mediocre Isn't Good Enough

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, very little writing, but a lot of thinking. What have I been thinking about? Well, I'm glad you've asked. I have been pondering the prevalence of mediocrity in the pursuit of Christ. In some cases, I would even say that mediocre is a generous descriptor.

My question is this: When did "just good enough" begin to pass for "great" in relationship and ministry? How did we come to the point where Facebook (love it as I do) started sufficing for real relationship? Don't get me wrong. I've already checked my FB page this morning, and it's a terrific way to keep in touch with people. I love seeing how people have changed and grown since high school and college. But, really, does sending a little message on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace accomplish the same thing as a phone call or grabbing a cup of coffee with a friend?

I'm just saying that if my husband and I only ever texted or e-mailed each other or only saw each other on Facebook, we would have a sad relationship if we had any relationship at all. It takes a little more effort than that. Mediocre should not suffice.

The same goes for ministry. I play guitar in our church's worship band. Last Sunday I left service in shame and disgrace at how our Sunday morning worship went. We had a huge train wreck right there on stage for all to see. It hurt my pride, yes, but more than that it disrupted the congregation's ability to enter in to worship. You could feel the congregation inwardly cringe as we struggled to get it together. And, perhaps it is just my view alone, but it seems that we have begun to settle for "good enough" more often than we push for excellence.

I am unashamedly an overachiever. I don't say that to pat myself on the back or in a spirit of braggadocio. I say it in an effort to qualify my remarks and say that despite my propensity for being a perfectionist, that is not what I am advocating here. Simply put, if we don't put the effort in to become proficient with a particular song or to maintain and grow a relationship, the chances of gross failure on an enormous scale loom imminent.

Look, I'm not saying that all of our "train wrecks" in life can be avoided, but doesn't our Father deserve more than our leftovers in life? Shouldn't we be giving Him our very best? It takes work. It isn't always easy, but I have never found it unrewarding.

In my experience, when I get lazy in my relationship with my husband, that's when we drift. We have more nitpicking arguments, and we simply exist. We don't grow together, and we don't move forward. In fact, ofttimes we slip backwards. However, when I make the extra effort to see his side of things, make a special dinner for him, or just tell him how much I love and appreciate him, it makes a world of difference in the climate of our home.

In relationship, in ministry, really, in anything we do, the return we get is in direct proportion to the effort we put forth. Garbage in, garbage out, as the saying goes. If we want to be listed with Daniel (Daniel 5:12, Daniel 6:3), as one with an excellent spirit, it will take a little more than a mediocre effort.

So, Papa has challenged me to give more of myself to Him. I have been lazy in my relationship with Him of late. In my observation of mediocrity elsewhere, He has challenged me to dispense with the pedestrian manner in which I have pursued Him. I find that I have fallen into repetitious prayers and a lackadaisical relationship. I have a tendency to do that when I feel control slipping from my grasp as with our financial struggles.

In any case, I have been reminded once again that He gave up everything for me, and I have no right to withhold my best from Him. I've decided to break free from the insanity. You do know the definition of insanity, don't you? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. OK, so that isn't actually the definition of insanity, but it is true in this case.

I hope that if you too find yourself in the land of the mediocre when it comes to your relationships or ministry, you will join me in aspiring to an excellent spirit.

Blessings!