Living in Mediocrity

The word, mediocrity, means exactly like it sounds, in the middle, something that is somewhat this or that. Similar words are fair, average, middling, second-rate, humdrum, indifferent, and so-so. Phrases include, middle of the road, run of the mill, and garden variety.

Living life just to get by, living a mediocre life, is not the type of life that gets us over the top. Rather it’s the type of life that keeps us safe and secure. Living a mediocre life is not the type of life that sees us accomplishing much more, accomplishing the miraculous, accomplishing the fantastic, accomplishing great things for God.

It was living such a mediocre Christian life that Jesus rebuked the church of Laodicea for living.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

The church in Laodicea was a rich church and really didn’t need help from anyone, not even from God. They were a church playing it safe. They were a church doing just enough to be called a church, but not trusting in God for the truly significant.

They were a church, but they were living life under the bar, not above it. And because of their mediocrity, Jesus calls them “lukewarm,” and because of their lukewarmness they were nauseating to God, which would find them being vomited out of His mouth.

How many of us fit that description? We’re living for Jesus, but only enough to get by. For many it’s coming to church on Sunday only, doing just enough to feel safe and to get by, but not enough to affect or make any real difference for the Kingdom of God.

That’s living in mediocrity, and not only is it offensive to God, but it is also living under the full potential God has created for us to be and to become.