Mediocrity

          Psychological studies indicate that most people believe that they are better than average.  Despite the logistical impossibility of such a scenario, each of us exhibits the tendency to think more of ourselves than what we currently are.  Even in modesty we can set ourselves up to believe that we are being more humble than we really are.  On an opposing vein, we can also decide to think so little of ourselves that we hold ourselves back from reaching our full potential.

          If true excellence lies neither in thinking a lot of ourselves or in tearing ourselves apart, then how can we decided to step beyond our present possibilities and break through the obstacles that hold us back? 

          At least part of the answer is obedience.  Obedience is the obvious, but often overlooked common denominator of success.  Adherence to the laws of physics has given mankind greater control of their physical environment.  Similarly, conforming to spiritual light and knowledge yields power to conquer spiritual mists of darkness.

          Every act of excellence was preceded by many acts of obedience, both small and large.  It was Moses' obedience to the promptings of the spirit that motivated him to lift his staff above the red sea.  It was Nephi's obedience to the commandments of God that allowed him to build a ship by himself.  It was the founding fathers' reliance on the Lord that allowed them to forge a nation from democracy where others had not. 

          The line between mediocrity and discipleship is a thin one, and letting ourselves become distracted can often cause enough of a lack of focus for us to cross it.  Consider, for example, how easy it is to begin doing something for the right reasons and then get entangled in personal interests and self-serving motivations.  Even though the nature of what you are trying to do has not changed, the fundamental drive behind the effort is no longer Christ-centered, and therefore does not qualify for an endowment of His power.

          However, we can draw hope from the plethora of scriptural examples of people who have engrained discipleship upon the walls of their  very soul.  Nephi, from the book of Helaman, is a prime example.  "Blessed art thou, Nephi," said the Lord, "for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments." (Helaman 10:4)

          The only thing that makes us different than Nephi are our choices, choices which we can change.  At one point all great men and women were where we are now.  Just as they chose the "better part" we can to.  In fact, God has slanted everything in our favor to help us to do so.

          "Men cannot really long rest content with mediocrity once they see excellence is within their reach."

--President Thomas S. Monson

Do you see it within yours?