Thought for Tuesday, January 22nd

January 22, 2013

Mediocrity

What does it mean to be mediocre?

    I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Revelation 3:15-19

“As a rule, the one who can do all things equally well is a very mediocre individual.”

-       Elbert Hubbard

It would seem that mediocrity and being lukewarm have a lot in common.  Both imply a sense of somehow being average or middle of the road.   And most certainly a person who would be considered to be mediocre or lukewarm would most definitely not be accused of excelling or going the extra mile to achieve or accomplish the task, goal or objective at hand.

William Hazlitt stated, “The way to get on in the world is to be neither, more or less wise, neither, better or worse than your neighbors.”

This seems to be the philosophical approach many Christians have taken towards their spirituality and service to God.

They want to do as much as brother so and so but not any more than sister what’s her name because they want to appear to be dedicated and committed but most certainly don’t want to be misconstrued as being overzealous or radical when it comes to their faith.

They want those around them to be able to witness a form of godliness: but they most certainly don’t want the world to think they are out of touch with them and most assuredly they must strive to be politically correct in all situations so that they will fit in and be accepted in any social situation.

In short a mediocre or lukewarm Christian would seem to want to get by, by the skin of their teeth, so to speak, and they plan to get into heaven by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin.

If we are among those who have this mentality towards our spiritual life; we need to keep in mind the admonition in the passage above and what God says His intentions are towards those who find this to be an acceptable approach to a relationship with Him.

It would seem to me that He does not hold a high regard for lukewarm Christians or those who aspire to mediocrity.

Today’s Prayer

Father, in a world where mediocrity is so easy to achieve; help me to desire more, give more and commit more than just enough.  I most certainly don’t want to become cold, so please continue to ignite the flame and fan the fire of your presence within me so that I will stay on fire and be hot and extreme for you.