It used to be said, "I'm leaving that church because I'm not being fed!" Today you don't hear that very much anymore. Is it because people feel they are "being fed" or because they no longer quantify their spiritual growth? Many Christians seem to be satisfied with living a life of eternal shallowness. Shallowness in the faith life seems to be too prevalent. The really scary part is that far too many don't seem to know that there is even a lack and think that spiritual shallowness is all that is required or maybe that it is the norm. In the past, local churches had as a primary goal beyond salvation, the maturing of their members in their faith life. Today the local church vision is often servicing the herd rather than shepherding the flock. It appears that personal transformation has evolved into personal mediocrity. The word mediocre is defined as "ordinariness, common place, lack of inspiration." When I read that, I think, "how boring and how dangerous!" That description is not what motivated me to become a Christian, live the Christian life or pursue a life of ministry. My motivation was an internal motivation to truly know the Lord, to grow in that relationship and help others grow as well. My great blessing was that I was surrounded by others who were on that same quest. Mediocrity was not in our plan. In all honesty, many of us walked away from christian mediocrity in pursuit of Christian Passion, Excellence and Maturity. I'm still on that quest as I hope you are.
Who is responsible for the state if mediocrity, the shepherd or the sheep? Both! The Pastor or Shepherd has to take very seriously their mandate to "shepherd the flock of God" and the believer must take seriously their own primary role in seeking to know God in an ever increasing way. As a new follower of Christ many years ago I was in a church that was studying the book of Revelation. I was stunned when we read Revelation 3:15“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. These are the Words of Jesus!
As we begin this new year may we make the personal decision not to blame a person or a church or even our circumstances for our spiritual lack. May we turn full faced to Jesus and ask in faith for a fresh outpouring of His love, passion and power!
