1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
It was a stupid idea to climb a 14,000 foot mountain with my wife. But the guidebook had called it a “distinctively charming route except the final 500 feet of loose scree.” So here I was frozen in fear clinging to the loose rock a few hundred feet from the summit. I wanted to give up and head back down. My wife, however, knew that the route down would take longer than summiting and then coming down. So she cajoled me forward. In the end, we summited the mountain and enjoyed the view.
Had we retreated, the end result would have been a mediocre adventure, and possibly a mediocre marriage and mediocre life.
Mediocre literally means “mid-mountain.”
The truth is that most of our lives are mediocre. We find ourselves grasping to the loose scree of life desperately trying to hold on. Though we may have spent years climbing and persevering, once the distinctively charming life gets hard, we freeze. We look for an escape route.
Our motivation wanes. We want the easy way out.
The way to transform mediocrity is not by motivation but through perseverance. At that moment, I had to throw off all the anxious thoughts that were holding me back. I had to overlook the disappointment and accept the reality that didn’t meet my expectations. It is at this point that we have to remember our commitment.
On that mountain, my wife made me recall that commitment. She told me I was not going to be satisfied if we turned back now. Then she just scampered on ahead, and as I watched her persevere I knew I had to finish the task that lay before me. I nervously fixed my eyes upon the trail she had laid through the scree field so I could follow it up. She endured so I could too.
What parts of your life are mid-mountain? How can you push forward in your marriage, your career, your parenting?
Consider how Jesus endured all things for you, and may you take heart to finish the race.
Wes Barry 
Good stuff here Wes! I’ve been struggling with this feeling in a few areas and this is a great reminder to persevere and remember that God has me right where he wants me and he’s always working for my good. Thank you for reminding me that I simply need to trust The Father, continue to “press on”, and know that he’s always teaching me and “growing me up”. Blessings to you and your family.
In His grip of grace,
Ty