average

Average. It's not great. It's not bad. It's just... Average.

What if we were all average? What would this world look like? There would be no great inventions, no new discoveries, no medical cures, no trips to space. We wouldn't have inspiring movies to watch or songs to listen to or novels to read.

My dad told me to watch this GNC commercial entitled "Beat Average."

"average sets the treadmill on mosey, or stroll, or loiter."

Now, this commercial is all about not being average when it comes to physical health. But the same can be said for our spiritual health.

God does not call us to be average. 

He calls us to stand out. To be set apart (Jeremiah 1:5). To not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:12). To be holy (1 Peter 1:6). To be perfect (Matthew 5:48).

He tells us that we have been raised with Christ and are to seek the things that are above (Colossians 3:1). And that not only will we walk and not be faint and run and not grow weary, but that through Him we can soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

Some pretty high callings. But some pretty high rewards. 

This world wants to tell you that you don't have to stand out. In fact, it often tells you that you shouldn't stand out - that it's better to fit in, to be quiet, to not cause a fuss. My mom made a really wise comment the other day when we were in a deep discussion about this topic. She said:

"Christians need to start standing up and speaking out for what they believe. If we don't do it, nobody will."

All too often Christians sit back, blend in, and don't stand up for their faith. I know I'm guilty of it - of not speaking out, of being "average."

But Mark 16:15 tells us we are to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Psalm 96:3 tells us we are to "declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all peoples!"

Doesn't sound like "average" to me.

Satan wants us to believe the lie that "average is good." No: "average is average." And we are called to more than just average. We are called to be great.

Feeling physically average? This commercial claims: "You can beat it. And it starts with GNC."

Feeling spiritually average? God claims:

"I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off al your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth." - 2 Samuel 7:9

The God of the universe wants to make us great. But he can't do that if we are satisfied in the complacency of being "average."