Encouraging - Mediocrity

When I think about great leaders in history it’s their bodies of works that helps to define their legacies. In most cases, a single passion drives their lives to expend their life’s blood in order to achieve their set purposes. In recent times, I think of individuals like Bill Hybels who established his church, Willow Creek, “to turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Christ”; or the highly revered group, U2, enduring numerous decades as well as producing countless hits all the while dedicating their lives to inspiring the heart, mind, body and soul; or Truett Cathy who built a chicken empire, Chick-Fil-A, from one little restaurant to a billion dollar industry whose doors are only open six days a week, he’s quoted as saying, “I’d like to be remembered as one who kept my priorities in the right order. We live in a changing world, but we need to be reminded that the important things have not changed, and the important things will not change if we keep our priorities in proper order.” We admire people greatly who are willing to abandon it all for the sake of the call. We admire them even more if they are able to keep their character in tact through the process.

Keeping our priorities in proper order proves challenging more often than not especially when we’re hoping to make eternal differences in this world. J. Oswald Sanders suggests, “If a Christian is not willing to rise early and work late, to expend greater effort in diligent study and faithful work, that person will not change a generation. Fatigue is the price of leadership. Mediocrity is the result of never getting tired” (Spiritual Leadership, 119). Are you fatigued or settling for mediocrity? Are you redeeming this world for Christ or going through the motions of life? Are you begging God to show you His will each day or merely asking Him to place His seal of approval after the fact? Are you living an intentional life or a reactionary one? Unfortunately, I would have to answer the latter to many of these questions. As we start to think about this next year, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Each of us is here for a purpose, so let’s start living accordingly.