Last year we had a flood in our kitchen because the pipe connected to our outside spigot burst, and when we turned it on in the spring water gushed into the under-sink cabinet.
Yes, we left the hose connected all winter … who knew?
The result of this flood was that my wife and I bit the bullet and went ahead with a kitchen remodel. We were so excited to get an updated kitchen: new cabinets, countertops and a slightly modified layout. Our excitement quickly disappeared; we are now seven months later, and things still aren’t finished. There are many excuses for it taking so long; some are reasonable, and most are not.
Throughout this process I’ve come to loathe a term I can only imagine is used quite often in the remodeling world: industry standards. In my experience, mind you limited, this term is used as an excuse as to why things are not done with excellence. My favorite has been the idea that if you stand 12 feet away and it looks right, then it meets industry standards and doesn’t need to be corrected.
“Industry standards” is an interesting concept because it means a group of people got together and discussed what was good enough. As I look around our culture it seems like, in general, our industry standards are drifting toward mediocre as culture waves so long to an expectation of excellence.
Since when has “good enough” been our standard? Or maybe more poignantly, since when has “good enough” pushed us to grow and excel in anything? And if I may, “good enough” rarely means it’s done right.
As often as I read God’s Word, I’ve never come across this phrase or concept of good enough, nor have I seen God’s standards drop. Instead, what I read in Scripture is that we are not to conform to the standards of this world (Romans 12:2) and that we are called, in all respects, to be a model of good works (Titus 2:7).
There are many more scriptures I could point to, but I think you get the idea: God’s “industry standards” do not follow the whims of this world and are not dumbed down to make it easier on us.
As a homeowner, the industry standard of “good enough” is unacceptable. I expect the job to be done right and with excellence. I believe God has the same expectations for us. God’s standards for us have always been high — to love him with everything we have and to love others as we love ourselves. God’s grace is not a dumbing down of these standards, it’s a commentary on how important they are and His conviction of our spirits that we are created to live into them.
Maybe this is a season in which you can ask yourself whether you’ve allowed the world to dumb down your understanding of God’s standards. Maybe this is a season you can evaluate your relationship with Christ and make the adjustments necessary to serve Him with excellence.
Maybe this is a season that will give you an opportunity to influence those around you to not conform but be transformed by God.
Ethan Maple is lead pastor of the Movie Theater Church that meets in Mt. Comfort. This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to [email protected].
