Mediocrity...

God has NOT called us to mediocrity...this is one of my favorite phrases and I've said it on many occasions in reference to so many things. I don't remember where I first heard it, but no surprise that it's not original. Mediocrity is defined in the dictionary as: ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding; a person of second-rate ability or value. WHO WANTS TO BE DESCRIBED THIS WAY? I personally do not...I have too much pride in myself!

When I first think of that phrase...since I work full time...it's usually in context of work or a task I'm trying to complete maybe at home. But my recent thoughts in reference to this phrase is 'why do we accept mediocrity in our spiritual walk?' I'm speaking to myself here, but I can't help but think that I might be speaking to some of you as well...seriously, I know I'm strange, but I'm not THAT unique, am I?

First, in ministry, we hear so many times about people that have been wounded at church or by other Christians or "hypocrites" they most likely call them. We usually hear this as an excuse to why some people don't want to come back to church or won't attend anymore. We get all bent out of shape and disappointed in people because we thought they were such a good church-going Christian.

Excuse me for not scoring high in mercy as a spiritual gift, but GIVE ME A BREAK, PEOPLE!!!! GROW UP!!!! There is only one Person that NEVER failed or made a mistake. The local corporate church is made up of PEOPLE...filthy, stinking sinners...me, you, my pastor hubby, ALL of us fall short - that's what the Holy Word of God says in my Bible. We honestly shouldn't be surprised in light of that, but we drop our mouths in shock and then turn around with our mouths still open and end up telling someone else about it rather than praying...but I digress - that's another blog topic!

Second, the Holy Spirit has been convicting me lately of the reason why we accept it and go about our merry way. We get disappointed in someone else and then don't look at ourselves, ultimately, accepting mediocrity in both lives. I Thessalonians 5 says that we are to encourage one another and build each other up...that is the type of person striving for excellence and not mediocrity. Encouragement doesn't always mean to tell someone they're a blessing to you or that they look nice...sometimes it means to encourage someone to do the right thing by speaking the truth in love rather than "going on our merry way" and ignoring it. Can that be uncomfortable? Yes, ma'am, but it's part of living above the level of mediocrity...just make sure to get the twig out of your own eye first!

I read a book recently that was written for Pastor's wives and it stated a statistic I will never forget..."only 40% of Pastor's wives have a personal devotion time with the Lord on a daily basis". Does that bother anyone else but me? Have I been guilty of this myself as a Pastor's wife?...unfortunately, yes, and that's mediocrity if not worse.

Why am I telling all of bloggy land all of this? I want you guys realize that even people in ministry are human, I want you to realize why it's important to pray for the ministry team of leaders at your church AND their families, but also that you'll hold me accountable to not settle for mediocrity in anything...first and foremost in my spiritual life. God didn't call us to mediocrity, but excellence in everything...I want to have a desire for His Word, to be more like Him and strive to become the woman of God that He wants me to be. I have fallen short so many times and have disappointed Him and others along the way, but hopefully I'm closer to Him than I was yesterday and the day before and the day before that!

**80's chick alert** There was a Christian song made popular in the 80's by a group called DeGarmo and Key and it's still an awesome prayer and declaration today:

It's more than a wish, more than a daydream
More than just a passing whim
Yes, I've said this all before
A thousand times or more
I don't wanna waste my life in chains of sin

CHORUS
I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be a casual Christian
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna live a lukewarm life
But I wanna light up the night
With an everlasting light
I don't wanna live the casual Christian life

This life is filled with strong distractions
With pulls from the left one from the right
I've already made up my mind
Gonna leave this world behind
Gonna live my life a living sacrifice

...PW stepping off her conviction-prompted soap box to strive for excellence!