.....about a "Mediocris" Mountain Chalet.

     In the French Alps, along a mountain trail, there is a cabin that was built in the 19th century.
     The trail leads to the top of Mont Blanc, which gives hikers a breath-taking view of wildlife, flowers and the scenery below.
     To the top of the mountain it's a five mile hike.....making it difficult for some to make the entire trip.  The cabin was built half-way up the mountain as a high altitude "way station" for hikers to stop for rest and refreshment.
     A sign on the trail tells hikers that they have arrived at "Mediocris".  The Latin word medius means "middle"....and ocris means "a rough stony mountain".  In other words, travelers were in "the middle of a rugged mountain".
     At "Mediocris", food and drinks were made available to hikers as they prepared for the rest of the journey.  Many times though, the nourishment and beautiful views below would mesmerize hikers to the point that they would not finish their hike to the top.
     I was just thinkin'.......how many churches (and Christians)...have settled for "hanging out" at the "Mediocris Mountain Chalet"?
     The refreshments and views are great!  And the air hasn't gotten too thin, so it's still easy to breath.
     If you look up the definition of the English equivalent, mediocre, most dictionaries have one of the definitions that say:: "half way up a mountain".
     I wonder--how many of our churches (and members) are living....half way up the mountain?
     I think God kind of likes the mountains!  
          (1) in the Old Testament....He gave the Ten Commandments...on a mountain.
          (2) He spoke to His prophets.....on a mountain.
          (3) in the Gospels, Jesus went many times to pray....on a mountain.
          (4) He commissioned His apostles...on a mountain.
          (5) He appeared to 500 after the resurrection....on a mountain.
     The apostle Paul talks in Philippians about our "HIGH" calling....not our "half way up" calling!
     I can't help but think about Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount....about going the second mile.  He was saying: "don't just go half way....go all the way to the top!
     Let's not settle for the ease and comfort of the "Mediocris Chalet".  Let's go to the TOP!

Tommy