As I drove home a few days ago, tears slowly began to fill my eyes. "Why am I so mediocre?" constantly bombarded my thoughts like a hail storm on delicate crystal. I know to the average person it seems like such a ridiculous thought, but the world is filled with such exceptional people and things. It was sad to admit that I wasn't one of those exceptional creations.
When I looked back at my life, all I could see was how I was so average. I wasn't the prettiest girl by far. To be honest, boys didn't even notice me until 8th grade. (That's about the time that I learned the power of cleavage, tight pants, and short skirts.) I couldn't really draw, sing, or dance, but I went to a magnet high school where I was surrounded by artists and musicians. Even as a student, I was mediocre. I never desired straight A's or to be the valedictorian. Middle of the road is where I was comfortable.
My one clear strength was that I worked hard. I came from a family that believed in going the extra mile. No one could say I was lazy. First one into work and last one was out was my motto, but I never desired to move up in position. This mindset satisfied me until a few years ago. It was my 40th birthday, and I realized that I had not fulfilled one dream. You know what I mean by dreams, don't you? Those dreams that your adolescent mind conceived in your free time. The belief that you could be or do anything was always at the forefront of my thinking.
Fast forward three decades and I had what I thought I wanted. A stable job, loving family, and great friends. But I still felt mediocre. Why did everyone else seem so amazing but I was just...mediocre? Then, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me to look up the word mediocre. Merriam-Webster defines mediocre as "of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance, ordinary, or so-so."
At that very moment, I was filled with conviction. By calling myself mediocre, I was saying that God had created something mediocre, of low quality, or so-so. I was advertising that I served a mediocre God who didn't put much thought in to His design. How offensive is that? God is a God of planning perfection. Anything less would be opposite of His character. Mark 7:37 declares that God does all things well. Did you hear me? All things! God formed Adam out of ordinary dirt, breathed His breath in Adam, and created something extraordinary. This means I am extraordinary. You are extraordinary. The key is getting this thinking in our Spirits, and there is only one way in which to do this- learn what God says about you.
What Does God Say About His Children
- I am God's workmanship created to perform good works. For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].'' Ephesians 2:10
- I am fearfully and wonderfully made. "I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well." Psalm 139:14
- I am a child of God. "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name." John 1:12
- I am a friend of Jesus. I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] John 15:15
- I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. "Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love." Ephesians 1:4
Moving Past Mediocre
So how did I move past mediocre? How did I realize who I was and whose I was? I moved past mediocrity by planting God's Word in my heart and allowing it to take root. What grew from those seeds were wonderful realities of God's extraordinary craftsmanship. God has given me numerous talents and abilities: writer, minister, worshiper, helper, and teacher. God is developing these gifts for a greater purpose and His ultimate delight. There is absolutely, positively, no mediocrity in me. And guess what? There is not an ounce of mediocrity in you!
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made by a perfect God for a perfect purpose. Spend time with your Father and allow Him to groom you for His glory.
