Saturday, March 24, 2012

Don't Let Greatness Be Diluted By Mediocrity

Listen to the Words of Jesus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." (John 14:12) The greatness that you and I are destined for happens as a result of doing the works of Jesus. Jesus came not only came to save mankind, but to equip Him to do greater works  than He did. In this way Jesus continues to work - through ordinary folks like you and me. But His works are certainly NOT ordinary. Jesus said we would do greater works than the ones He did because He had to go to the Father. When Jesus ascended back to the Father He sent forth the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to empower and equip those who would surrender their lives to Jesus. Nothing in your destiny has anything to do with mediocrity!

But the fact is, instead of moving in the greatness of God, many followers of Christ are flowing in mediocrity - the enemy of greatness. The greatness of God is being diluted by the mediocrity of this world. Routine, schedules, debt, occupation, hobbies, the desire for "other things", and oh yes sin, are choking God's greatness out of Christian lives. Realize this...Jesus died not only for you to go to heaven, but for you to do great and mighty exploits for Him on this earth. It is a person moving in God's greatness who's works are eternally significant. What do I mean by eternally significant? I mean they are the works of Jesus. The works He spoke of in John 14:12. Jesus also says, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." When you do it to Jesus, you do it for Jesus.

What is mediocre? One definition says it is "barely adequate". I don't want to be barely adequate for Jesus. Perhaps too many of us are" barely adequate" for Jesus. Why? Because the greatness of our destiny is being diluted by mediocrity. We slide in to its rut because we are convinced Jesus will do it through and for the next person, but certainly not for me. It has taken me a long time, but I am finally learning that greatness is just as much my part as it is Jesus's. I must be the one to surrender. I must be the one to obey His every command. And I must to decide that I will be a servant of Jesus and others.

Jesus said, "...but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant," (Matthew 20:26) Serving is the road to greatness as far as Jesus in concerned. In complete contrast, the world says we must compete with others for greatness. We must give our entire lives for the cause of becoming great for ourselves...by ourselves. The problem is that we eventually lose our lives. We can amass great wealth and stuff, be it has no eternal significance, and in the eyes of Jesus we've done nothing and we've become nothing.

Let me say it again. God has called you to greatness, not mediocrity. He has called you to a life of adventure. It requires great sacrifice. You must serve others. But it is the only way to the greatness Jesus talks about in Matthew 20. There is great joy in greatness. Because you experience the joy of others and they are blessed. Join with me in launching to the next level. Commit today to doing the great exploits Jesus has destined you for. I will too!

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