If we’re honest – average is boring. In fact, it’s downright nauseating. Okay – yeah, that’s a bit strong. Seriously, if you think about it, I think you’ll admit that we like above-average. We downright LOVE above-average. We brag about our above-average kids and their accomplishments, we overpay above-average athletes and idolize them and we spend our time watching above-average people on TV. Actually, each one of your friends has unique above-average qualities. And those qualities are what draws you to them. Thinking through my list of friends I can identify their unique traits that I highly admire, and attract me to them.
Here’s a few:
Joyfulness and laughter
Godliness
Wisdom
Seeing the best in people, and identifying and valuing their gifts
Honesty
Transparency
Encouragement
Courage
Impressive teacher and courage to step out in it
Hospitable
Friendly and outgoing
Optimistic perspective
Writing that list made me realize that each of those qualities are what I aspire to improve in. (Hmmm, I’m sure there’s a psychology lesson in there somewhere!)
And though average is boring, if we’re honest, most of us live in the state of being quite average. Because life is quite routine. We can’t run at 100% all day; it just isn’t possible.
But… here’s the cool part… We can submit our averageness to God. Typically, I write about using your gifts and talents for the Lord in order to live a satisfying life. This post is for my readers that struggle with their lack of perfection, their mistakes, and their disappointment that they aren’t further along.
With that in mind, today’s post is about those times when we’re just average – not really operating in our gifts and talents. You see, this past weekend, God taught me something pretty profound. And I want to see what you think about it.
I attended a ladies retreat where I was a leader in organizing and facilitating the progression of the weekend which had a lot of “moving parts.” Let’s just say organization isn’t my strong suit – although for some strange reason, people think I’m organized. So, I made some mistakes. I forgot to check the back of the schedules for one of the days and didn’t realize that entire pages weren’t copied and were blank! Another schedule, that did print, assigned a talk to the wrong pastor. It didn’t throw off the pastors, but it did mess up some facilities guys. Let’s just say there were more than a few blunders. Oops!
Just as I began to wrestle with feeling like a louse, a friend stepped in covered my mistakes, and made the copies that were needed. As if God planned it, shortly thereafter, a lady that was smarter and brighter than me, made a mistake. Phew! It wasn’t just me. Quickly, I jumped in and covered her mistakes. To our surprise, there were mistakes popping up throughout the weekend during the retreat.
Nevertheless, it was obvious that a few mistakes were not going to stand in the way of God doing His work! In fact, it seemed as though God was showing us that the success of the ministry was not going to be dependent anyone other than the LORD. Isn’t that just like Him!? During the retreat, ladies dedicated their hearts to the Lord, hurts were healed, barriers were broken down that had been built over a lifetime of hurt and abuse, women were set free and God was glorified. It was a precious time of God bending down to meet His daughters. (Psalm 116:2 NLT)
God knows us too well. He knows if everything were to go perfectly, then we would think WE had done a great job and the ministry that happened was a result of what a wonderful job WE did. And so, sometimes average is pretty great. When God works through our “average” we can see pretty clearly, that He is working mightily in spite of us, not because of us.
Now, I’m not saying strive for average, or settle for average. What I am suggesting is that we forgive our imperfections. Perfectionism is a brutal taskmaster that can never be satisfied. In realizing that we can’t be perfect, we should strive to grow and overcome our shortcomings, but in the meantime, realize that God’s strength can work through our “average.”
On a day when my performance was less than perfect, God’s strength was pretty evident reminding me that His grace is enough and His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Fortunately, the Lord takes our average-ness and humanness and POOF! He makes something amazing and wonderful through us.
Remember: Average allows God to show Himself mighty… He’s not stunted by our imperfections. As Joyce Meyer says:
Rest in the fact that God can work regardless of our condition.
Be blessed this week friends!
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Becky Hastings says
God is in the average, ordinary places just as much as He is in the extraordinary!
Char says
So true Becky! I saw Him very clearly through my imperfections.
Debbie Putman says
Love your list. It really puts things into perspective about what to strive for…and what to admire in others.
Jamie@TheMomGene says
I love that quote from Joyce Meyer!
Char says
Me too Jamie! It helps me to be a little more patient with myself..
Michele Morin says
Hi, Char — this piece hits just a little too close to home for me. I’ve had to consciously tell myself that I can settle for a B+ in every area of life because I was driving myself (and my family) crazy in the quest for the perfect score. And now, I see the truth that I’m the only one with the red pen and the score sheet.
Thanks for doing what you do for God and for pressing on regardless.
Char says
You’re such an encourager Michele! I know that my expectations for myself are pretty high – and I notice when I do something very well, I tend to take credit. This weekend showed me how much God is really steering us.
Lureta says
Thank you for sharing this great post. I always thought of my average more like failure. Tjanks for the well needed encouragement.
Char says
I did too Lureta – and now I can see it’s an opportunity to see God more clearly. After the weekend I realized that if I had done everything perfectly I would have taken credit for the ministry that ensued. Now I can’t! God is soooo cool!
Jerralea says
I’ve always loved that quote from Joyce Meyer! I am thankful I’m not where I was!
Char says
Hello?! Me too… It’s hard to see our progress unless we look in the rear view mirror occasionally.
Joanne Viola says
Wonderful post, Char. One of the things I have learned over the years is the beauty that is displayed when we all pick up for one another, covering the imperfection, and still making things run smoothly. So good to be here today.
Patrick Weseman says
A very interesting and thoughtful post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful week.
nylse says
We put too much stock in perfect. I was struck by the qualities you listed as above average because we all have them, but we downplay ourselves and inflate others.
This was a very encouraging post to remind us that God doesn’t need us to be perfect just willing. Or said another way – faithful, not flawless.
Char says
I like that!! Faithful not flawless!! That’s good…
Emily says
Hi Char! This is my first time stopping by, and boy did I need to read this post!!! The title alone was somewhat humorous…because I jokingly tell my husband all the time…”I don’t want average….I want the best.” LOL Ok…let’s be honest…it may be semi-jokingly. Ha ha! Seriously, though…the Lord DAILY has to remind me that it is through my weakness that He gets to be strong. Thank you again for this post!
Char says
Honestly, I struggle with averageness wanting to excel, but it was so good for me to see that the Lord is glorified through it. A new twist on my thinking. Not that I hadn’t read that bible verse before or anything?! Ha!
Lisa notes says
“We can submit our averageness to God.” So grateful that God can work with anything! I’ve read that most Americans think that their driving skills are above average. But statistically, we know that can’t be true. And being average means at least we’re not below average. 🙂
Char says
Good perspective!!! Yes! Thanks for sharing Lisa.
Gayl says
“Remember: Average allows God to show Himself mighty… He’s not stunted by our imperfections.” Yes! He uses average people to accomplish His purposes through them. What a blessing!
Blessings to you!
sue says
nothing average about you!
Char says
I am soooo sooo average – except that God graciously works through me. 🙂
Marilyn Lesniak says
It is always a pleasure to link up with you. Thank you for all you do to bring bloggers together. I invite you to join me at #OverTheMoon, #WonderfulWednesday and #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Have a great week!
Magdala says
Beautifully written, Char! I am in deep agreement with you!
Char says
Praise God that He uses us. Those mistakes showed me that He does not need us at all to do His work.. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Magdala!
Elizabeth says
So happy to have found you from Lyli’s link up! I can so relate to this post. Being a pastor’s wife it is easy to feel inadequate when I see my/our mistakes in leadership. How arrogant of me to think we could ever be adequate! Jesus alone is our sufficiency! ( I’m also linking up for here for the first time.)
Elizabeth says
OOPs. I guess the link up is closed. I’ll try next week!
Char says
Thanks Elizabeth! My linkup is open Tuesday – Saturday. So glad you stopped by!
Cheryl says
I love this post; thank you for the reminder! If you host any future retreats, I would be interested in attending.