What is average? The answer depends on who you are speaking to; statisticians and mathematicians seem to have endless debates. But for most of us, the average is the normal, or typical of a whole lot of something. An average day is a normal day as perceived out of a whole number of days. Average behavior, is the normal behavior out of a whole range of behavior. Average success, is the normal success out of a whole range of success.
Average seems to be an acceptable norm. Better than some, not as good as others. Deviations from the norm, are viewed as exactly that: deviations. Average is safe. Average is acceptable. Average does not get criticized. To attain the average, is considered a job well done. Average rules what is expected . Average rules our goals. We aim for average.
Average is a tyrant.
God did not design us for average, He designed us for exceptional because He is exceptional. Do not give in to the tyranny of average: an average day; an average job; an average marriage; an average spiritual walk, an average life experience etc. God’s desire for us is NOT an average. The Message states it clearly: Eph 5:8-17 (MSG)
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around.
Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.
Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.
Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.
There is my “circumspect” again: “Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly.” What the Master wants for us is not average. We are to live with purpose in mind, we are to think, evaluate, make strategies, live our lives wisely. We are not to waste lives, but build value into our lives, value that lasts for eternity. Matt 6:19-21 (NIV)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We are to live ON purpose, FOR a purpose.
Rom 14:7-8 (NIV) “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
We are to make God’s ways a priority in our life and then our lives will NEVER be average. Matt 6:31-34 (MSG)
“…Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Joyce Meyer said:
“Common people with uncommon goals
Who make an uncommon commitment
Can help an uncommon amount of people
And they can also lead other common people to do uncommon things.”
Do not submit to the tyranny of average, it is not what God designed for us. God has given us the Spirit to supernaturally enable us above and beyond our needs and abilities, to be anything but “average” or “normal”.
Father, help me not to settle for the average in my life. May I be so convinced in my heart that You did not design me for the average, that I will not settle until my life is exceptional in You.
If you enjoyed this post, also read:
Four Benefits of Being Circumspect
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