I have always felt like I was called to be and do more and have often cried out to the Lord on the subject of mediocrity vs. greatness. Sometimes he answers in the most subtle of ways and sometimes he slaps me on the forehead. Today in my bible study time, I was slapped on the forehead in a loving manner. Here are some of my thoughts and quotes from others on the subject that really got me thinking!
I reflected on where this push for greatness started for me- when I was young I felt like I was different and weird because I was home schooled, came from a larger family and my parents were not typical in their beliefs about church and the body of Christ. I felt like I stood out in a bad way. So I think I reacted by deciding to be different but in a "great" way and became consumed with going above and beyond to prove myself and to be great. One of my greatest fears is to be mediocre!!! I have to lay this down at my heavenly father's feet all the time because I struggle with it daily. What I am beginning to see is that my quest for greatness and perfectionism is a huge burden that weighs me down and I break under the stress and burden of that load.
"If your identity is wrapped up in the magnificent things you're destined to achieve- as a great writer, musician, scientist, politician, chef- the thought that you might produce something mediocre can be devastating."
My So Called Genius- Author Laura Fraser
If you constantly feel the pressure to do great things, you sometimes disdain or become too prideful to do good things. The small things in life are what really make up our days and lives. If I am too full of pride to do them, I miss out on much of what God has put me here on earth to do.
"Couldn't craving to do something great keep you from doing something good? Living just to be great will prove at least empty and maybe even deadly." - Beth Moore
God has called me to get up each day, greet it with an attitude of thanksgiving and get to work on what he has set before me to do that day. There may not be any accolades or the notice of man in the mundanes of life but God is there watching. What I have to ask myself is "Who am I living for? Do I seek man or God's notice with all that I do?". In God's economy being least is the way to be great- humility and putting others above myself always wins!
"Spending ourselves for something infinitely greater still fans our parched soul with the God-given need to matter, but relieves us of the relentless pain of being the "It" person at the center of it. To live for the greatness of God is to live the great life. Every one of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God things. Those with presence of mind and semblance of health are called to pour out the drink offering of their lives until the cup is overturned and every drop of energy slips- perhaps unnoticed, uncelebrated- into the vast ocean of earthly need. "- Beth Moore
In putting off my pride and dying to self, I can let God rule in my and shine through me out to the world. This makes me think of Matthew 5:16- "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." It is not about me, it is all about him!
"In effect Christ says, "I'm great enough for both of us," relieving the willing of their woeful burden. "Just Follow Me."- Beth Moore
Praise the King- Let it ring- Praise the King! I was burdened but now I am at rest.
Father, help me stay at rest; not to pick up this burden again and when I do, remind me to put it back down at your feet!
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