Mediocrity

Mediocrity is the state of being of moderate or low quality. But how does one come to be in this state? And more importantly, how does one overcome it?

I am wondering if mediocrity is rooted is laziness. Proverbs 21:25 states, "The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuses to labor." In other words, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied" (Prov. 13:4). It just may be that some people are mediocre because they are lazy.

I am wondering if mediocrity is rooted in giftedness. Some people are just naturally more gifted than others. Likewise, some people are more spiritually gifted than others (see 1 Cor. 12:1-11). I have always understood Jesus' words in Matthew 13:25 to mean some bear more fruit than others by design.

May be it is better to focus on the commands that drive us to give our all. The Preacher says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going" (Eccl. 9:10, ESV). Paul states, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17, ESV). Again he states, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15, ESV).