I recently read a blog that was shared thousands of times in which the writer asks the question, "What if I'm okay with a mediocre life?"
However, in all the ways she spelled out her life as mediocre, I found it to be quite the contrary.
me·di·o·cre of only moderate quality; not very good.
Since when did living a life that doesn’t include fame or huge and very visible things mean that our lives are mediocre? Since when did being a mom, wife and sister equate to not being enough? Who says bigger is always better? Who says having a not too big and not too small, but somewhere in the middle-sized body is mediocre? Yet, her questions and writing resounded with so many women. That must mean so many of us feel this tension inside. The need to be more, the feelings of not being enough, and the pressure to strive.
So, what if you aren't traveling and speaking to thousands, but you do invest in individuals? What if you're not on leadership at a church, but you make a positive impact within the church body? What if your body isn't what it used to be before having children and you’re ok with that? What if you don't start an orphanage in Africa, yet you love and give locally? What if your home is never decorated like so many beautiful homes we see on social media or in magazines, but it's just right for your family? What if you can't always keep up with feeding your family super healthy or organic meals and every now and then you enjoy pizza with them instead?
Who says this way of life is mediocre? Who says it's not enough or you're not enough?
The world may scream at us to hustle or strive and measure up, but not even the world can steal the peace and wholeness that resides in a women who knows who and whose she is.
The truth is, not one person has it all together at all times. When we see the perfect homes in magazines or social media, we must know that to get a perfect picture of one room, all the other rooms are most likely in complete disarray. When we see a mom or wife that travels often or works most of the week, we must know that they have help with their children and time away from their family is required. Because nobody can do all and be all things to the fullest and we were never called to. I once found myself giving into that lie that we must be all things and do all things to perfection. In the end, living that lie left me so exhausted and anxious.
True rest comes when we embrace our identity as His children; His beloved.
Lately I’ve found myself living life at such a calm, peaceful pace. Finally coming to this place of contentment. This place of knowing that I do not need to rush, or hurry to make anything happen in my life. A place where days of rest, quality time, and putting energy and time towards life giving things bring such fullness. I’m content in my role as a mom, wife, and friend. I am content praying and helping others, worshipping, writing from my heart, loving well, and just being His. I'm content, but I am also not allowing myself to stay comfortable.
While it is true that we are loved and we are enough, we can’t stop there. As much as the Lord loves us just as we are, His love still calls us to the more. I believe the blog resonated with so many because it allowed us to take a big sigh of relief. Deep down, we want permission to just be enough and to just stop there.
The thing is, the times I’ve grown the most were when I stepped out onto the water and far away from the boat--the place that keeps me safe and comfortable.
It's His love that calls us to the more. The more will look different for everyone, but there is always, always more. The more may seem like too much, but we can do hard or big things with His grace. I believe we can step out into the more He has for us and still live life from a calm, simple and peaceful position. But, if we stay comfortable, we aren't growing. It's His good pleasure to give, guide and watch us grow into fullness; and there's nothing mediocre about a life lived only to follow His lead.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:6-7Amplified Bible (AMP)
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