"A Refreshing Break from Mediocrity"
(Psalm 40:1-3)

OBSERVATION

In my personal experience, there is nothing that encumbers one's walk with God more than mediocrity. I mean mediocrity here by a desire to settle for 'ordinariness', for status quo, for normality; an attitude of just wanting to satisfy the motion; and a lack of motivation to do more than the usual.

I suppose some of us who became a believer when we were youths, and that some years have passed since, have ever sat down and recalled "those good days" when we first took Jesus into our lives. Back then, every day seemed to be a new discovery, every worship seemed to be a new adventure. And if none of these stirred us, what about the lunch fellowship with new found friends, that perhaps have showered on us welcome and concern with cordiality which some of us may never have experienced before? For those of us from churches with a tradition for camps, whether it be Sunday school camps, youth fellowship camps, or ministry camps, those were real fun days, weren't it?

However, situation seemed to have changed after a while. Our degree of excitement looked as though had 'plateaued' off. Things didn't appear to be as 'happening' in our lives anymore. The initial 'effervescence' settled and we would count ourselves lucky if there weren't any undesired 'deposits' left behind (Sorry to those who doesn't understand Chemistry terms!). Is it age, or such is life? Is that what awaits the morning after honeymoon?

Some of us, like I did, being unwilling to give up the spiritual highs (or was it spiritual??), went about seeking newer and more exciting experiences. Sadly, I was lured to the spectaculars.

I once found solace in exuberant charismatic worship, desperately seeking either an emotional high or release. When it no longer was able to sustain the level of
enthusiasm in me, I sought ministry responsibilities and leadership positions, which fed my ego very well and kept me going for sometime. Yet eventually, I would always find myself wanting something deeper, something that gives me
a constant and perpetual sense of meaning and purpose for everyday living, a sense where I know in a clear way that God is active in my life and what I am doing is worthwhile and significant. Rushing from a 'bee hive' to another
'bee hive' of frantic Christian activities afforded me a state of burning-out rather than a position of secured joy and peace in Him.

Nothing that I tried came close to the "spring of life" Jesus promised, in which those who drank it will never thirst again.

I found myself lacking, lacking a fresh encounter with God. Enthusiastic spontaneity soon gave way to ritualistic monotony. I went about satisfying the motion of usual Christian activities, just not to raise any eyebrows. There
was no hungering for God, there was no longing for His involvement in my life because I thought it was useless. Useless because I perceived I tried very hard to re-connect with God and it was up to no avail.

One part of me wanted to settle into this mode of indifference and inaction but there remained a part of me that was hardly contented with such odious mediocrity! Am I asking for too much? Should I simply accept the reality of God in my life by faith and move on, as it is with the traditionally prescribed
answer? Wouldn't it be playing religion rather than enjoying a genuine relationship with God?

"So how?" Just to quote a common Singaporean expression.

UNDERSTANDING

There were at least 2 things that helped me in the effort of breaking free from a spiritual status quo and monotony:

1. Count my blessings

"'Will the LORD reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished
forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his
compassion?'

Then I thought, 'To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the
Most High.'
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles
of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds."
Psalm 77:7-12

"I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have
done."
Psalm 143:5

What did David appeal to when he felt far away from God? "The years of the right hand of the Most High". He called to mind all of God's past
faithfulness. Those who do so will invariably realise that God did not bring us so far just to abandon us. We might even be able to notice some kind of pattern and catch a glimpse of what God might be trying to do in our lives. God is
bothered enough to get involved in our lives! Why should we settle for the average and not giving our "Utmost for the Highest"?

2. Consummate my sabbath

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD."
Psalm 40:1-3

"Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress
Selah"
Psalm 46:10-11

Remember the need to keep our sabbath. For from it, new meaning and purpose will arise (Refer DM 03 Nov 1998 "The Meaning of Sabbath Rest"). We
must command ourselves to "Ready-Set-Stop!" at times rather than "Ready-Set-Go!" all through life.

David waited patiently. God asks us to be still. Spend that unhurried time seeking His face. A new song will certainly come! He will turn your mourning into dancing. He will give you a garment of joy for the spirit of
heaviness. The victory shall be as such that He "will be exalted" and "many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD"! Wouldn't this be more exciting than to settle for indifference and inaction?

TODAY'S MEDITATION

1. What do you think the "Spring of Life" that Jesus referred to means? How could we gain access to it and be satisfied by it?

2. When was the last time you experienced God's blessings? What did it mean to you? What changes has it caused in your life?

3. When was the last time you had your sabbath? What did it mean to you? What changes has it caused in your life?

kirbs@arts. 22 Dec 1998.