There’s a reflection that has been weighing on my mind for several days: Why are Christians — myself included — so mediocre? After meditating on it, I’ve come to realize that the modern Christian movement, at least in Africa, suffers from two major ills: improvisation and mental poverty.

The Misfortune of Improvisation

It is written: “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.“ (Proverbs 4:26)

I feel like Christians in Africa are masters of unpreparedness and improvisation. They excel in mediocrity. Once you’re saved, is that enough? Many approach the work of God carelessly, without any real preparation. Many invest in Kingdom matters with an alarming degree of levity, as though the things of God were the least valuable things on Earth. It pains me to see how non-Christians approach their businesses, projects, and endeavors with such excellence and professionalism.

But among most African Christians, it’s the complete opposite: God’s work, God’s projects, and God’s property are often handled with negligence, amateurism, and a lack of preparation. The wisest man who ever lived said: “Give careful thought to the path for your feet before you take it.“

This was a simple invitation to develop a strategic plan for everything we do, even with the Holy Spirit’s presence. Even Jesus, our Master and Lord, was a strategic planner. The Apostle Paul, my role model, said he didn’t strike aimlessly like a boxer, but with purpose. Yet most Christians today have chosen the path of mediocrity in everything: no excellence in fasting, no excellence in prayer, no excellence in worship, no excellence in evangelistic campaigns, no excellence in love and charity, no excellence in Kingdom investments, no excellence in work, no excellence in goal-setting and results, no excellence in personal life, and so on. Where are we going with such a backward mentality?

Jesus was the master of preparation. He never improvised. He prepared everything and seemed to be in control of everything. One clear example proves this. In Mark 14:12, Jesus asked His disciples to go and book a room for Him in order to celebrate the Passover. I imagine it had to be the best and finest place near where they were: “The upstairs room, large, furnished and ready.” (Mark 14:15). That was the first Scripture that came to my mind when the Holy Spirit inspired this meditation.

The room was already prepared. Everything was set. The project you’re leading as a Christian — whether professional, family, or spiritual (evangelism, choir, intercession, etc.) — how are you managing it? Why is there so much amateurism, carelessness, unpreparedness, negligence, uncleanliness, and mediocrity in our churches? If you can hear me, be the change agent in your community and act with professionalism for the glory of the Kingdom.

The Danger of Mental Poverty

Most Christians in Africa are mentally poor. They do not cultivate their minds. They do not train or educate themselves. The only thing they seem to master is quoting Bible verses and threatening nonbelievers with hellfire. The Apostle Paul, whom I seek to imitate, said:

“The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.“ (1 Corinthians 4:20)

It pains me when I walk through the streets and see so few born-again Christians owning large businesses. How many born-again Christians are owners of hardware stores, transport agencies, hotels, clinics, major restaurants, etc., in your neighborhoods or cities? How many own private TV channels? Among the top 10 television networks in your country, how many belong to born-again Christians? How many born-again Christians are university presidents or founders/directors of major private institutions?

How many born-again Christians can lay hands on the sick and see them healed, raise the dead, make the paralyzed walk, and open the eyes of the blind? Yet this is also our calling — not just to preach the gospel, but to demonstrate the power of God. Something is seriously wrong.

Yesterday, we were informed of the sudden death of a child. And the Church did nothing. The Church remained powerless. And I cried out in my soul: Where is the spirit of Benson Idahosa? Is there someone to raise the dead here? Someone to make the lame walk here? Someone to… Oh Lord Jesus, forgive me. I repent of my mediocrity and mental laziness.

The situation is alarming. The contemporary African Christian has failed in God’s mandate of dominion. It is clear that he is not the head on this Earth. Are you a born-again Christian? Are you really reigning in your area of activity, in your community — or are you living under the dominion of pagans and the secular world? You’ve won souls, that’s great. But how will you feed those souls? Didn’t Jesus say, “You give them something to eat”?

You may be a champion in heaven, but be a champion on earth too. That is not a sin — it’s a divine command. Be delivered from mental laziness, rise up, and act for the reign of the Kingdom of Heaven in every area of human life: the Church, politics, finances, health, environment, culture, sports, and more.

For we must shine — everywhere, today, and now! May God bless you!

This text is an excerpt from the book “LA TRAVERSÉE DU DÉSERT” written by Jean-Paul Marie (Pastor Samuel Binyou).

We invite you to read the following article: “NO, YOU ARE NOT POOR!”

MEDIOCRE. MEDIOCRE. MEDIOCRE. MEDIOCRE.