Proud Mediocrity (2)

In an earlier post on this topic, I asked, "If our culture is breeding a passion for apathy and mediocrity, then from where is this [cultural] pursuit for more-and-more [the rat-race to keep up with the Jones'] coming? How do I teach my children that it is wise stewardship [striving for excellence] to invest in a Roth IRA without discouraging them from being content without any retirement savings?"

In "Reflecting the Art of God" (found in September's issue of Tabletalk), Michael Card says this: "'Whoever would be great among you must be your servant' (Matthew 20:26). And so, when the question of striving for excellence...is voiced..., we discover that 'striving' has been redefined as 'working as servants.' We begin to see that 'excellence' now means 'whatever reflects the glory of the incarnate One.'"

In "A Passion for Truth" (also found in the September issue of Tabletalk), Dr. George Grant says this: "Even the church has fallen prey to this "spirit of the times." If we really had our druthers we wouldn't want worship to be too terribly demanding. We wouldn't want doctrine that challenges our pet notions. We really only want music that we're comfortable with. We only want preaching that reassures us, that reinforces our peculiar preferences, that affords us a sense of serenity - all in record time. We want quick change; cheap grace; ...bumper sticker theology; easy faith...."

Does that strike a nerve with you? Ouch! Dr. R.C. Sproul gives us the solution: " Let us therefore seek to excel, let us push ourselves to the highest limits of endurance to achieve the highest possible level of excellence
in all that we do, while at the same time watching ever vigilantly for the evil impluse of pride to vitiate any value to our labor. Let us work hard, let us excel to God's glory."

Dr. Grant offers this solution: "If we are to buck the trend of malignant modernity, if we are to recover our Christian heritage in education..., then we must return to the...certainties of Christendom's experience: educational excellence is hard work - and it demands a vision for life learning."

When I read to learn, I find myself enjoying the read and the learning, but there's this inate sensation of striving to finish the book so I can rest or play. But what I want to strive for, and what I want to instill in my children, is that reading and learning IS the rest and play. Don't long for the book to end. Read. Learn. Strive. Serve. All to the glory of God.