Beating Mediocrity

Janet has her own cleaning service; for years, she had no trouble gaining enough clients to run a successful business because of her work quality. As her business expanded, she hired another worker, and that’s when the problems began. When Janet cleans a room, it is immaculate, but with her new employee Justin, it was not the same. She showed him the cleaning materials to use and demonstrated what “right looks like.” At first, she thought his cleaning lapses merely required on-the-spot corrections. But Justin’s work continually languished. He responded with excuses when she would point out deficiencies rather than learn and improve.  After three frustrating months, she had to let him go. ​

​Meditation
1 Kings 7:13-14—King Solomon had Hiram brought from Tyre.  He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a bronze craftsman. Hiram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge to do every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.
 
Solomon hired a man who lived 104 miles away from Jerusalem, indicating there were no great bronze craftsmen in Israel’s capital. The quality of Hiram’s work with bronze evidently spread his reputation far and wide. Excellence is admired and reflects skill and understanding that is tied to a clear purpose.

Janet built her business on excellence. Had she kept Justin, she would have settled for mediocre work and a ton of frustration. Mediocrity occurs for a variety of reasons. It may be a sign of purposelessness. In The Return of the Gods, Jonathan Cahn wrote, “When purpose is removed, destruction follows.” Mediocrity may be the fruit of laziness.  It may reveal a lack of understanding. If Justin grew up in a family that failed to teach him standards and modeled sloppiness, he reflects what he grew up accepting. If substandard performance is not someone’s usual behavior, it may be attributed to fatigue, illness, or depression. 
            
No one who loves God should accept mediocrity. Psalm 111:12 says, “The Lord’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them.”  He sets the standard we ought to emulate. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 that the quality of our work will be tested one day before God. Poor work will burn, while great work will be rewarded.  
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Roshni Nadar ventures, “To make a difference, you have to have large aspirations.” We overcome mediocrity through a commitment to excellence, discipline, seeking help, getting sufficient rest, and maintaining a thankful spirit. How does thankfulness relate to beating mediocrity? Excellence begets thankfulness. Mediocrity produces spit (Revelation 3:15,16). Gratitude recognizes benefits, appreciates quality, and bathes in “well done.”
 
Inspiration
The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change. The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.—Jim Collins
 
©2022 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)