What does it mean to be 'above average'??
Average is often used negatively but in many ways it is simply a definition of location.
If average is just where most people are, then I guess it's easy to identify where you are for a bench mark. Also, above average could be used as a location of being above where most people are positioned (as some sort of statistic).
2 Cor 8:7
'But just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of giving.'
To be above average is to excel, but is it possible to be above average in everything?
This made me think about the world we live in and how destructive things are/can be, Much of our society you could say would lack grace towards one another and criticism is at an all time high.
But, if we rewind back and think about the smaller community of people we do life with and ask one question: What are most people like?
If most people in my neighbourhood don't wave and say hi, then for me to wave and say hi is - above average.
If most people in our work places are constantly talking negatively about other peers, then I think its relatively easy for us to be above average.
This made me realize that there would be hundreds of daily situations that give us the opportunity to be more than most people choose to live....and this would be for no other reason than to allow God to use us to influence others for His glory.
How we relate and respond to people around us is critical to God's story in their lives.
To excel in everything is simply the choice to live a life above average.
"It is our Responsibility to work on our Response Ability."
I like this a lot. One of my daughter's friends is a cashier at a local supermarket. Once, as I was standing in line, I heard a customer publicly scream at and embarass her. I decided then that I was going to be the friendliest, kindest, most patient customer that cashiers ever get. Every day is an opportunity to encourage and bless someone if we only have eyes to see.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading a lot about this topic lately. You put it so well. I think you're "above average", and I'm glad you're a friend to Rhys and Joy. It's going to be amazing to see where your God-given talents will take you, Jade.
ReplyDeleteThis is very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, it's so thought provoking that I somehow forgot to comment. That was, I'm afraid, below average...
I also have a question/request to you. I'll be helping to prepare a Czech Christian youth magazine for next year. I was charged with preparing an English corner, a language learning tool on the face value, which should however also offers views of Christians from abroad. So we decided the best way to achieve that - and get authentic texts - would be to use texts from Christian blogs. So I wanted to ask you if we could use one of your texts; probably this one, because it has a convenient length. And it's really encouraging, so I think it's a pity that apparently not so many people have read it so far. :-)
Please, send me your answer to marmota.b(at)hotmail.com (even if it's "no").