Unordinary
Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006
I wouldn’t describe myself as a “mover and shaker,” but it is fair to say that I’m usually wondering, “OK, what’s next?” And I don’t want the answer to be, “Another load of laundry!” On a good day, you could refer to this character trait as adventurous; on a bad day, you might as well call it for what it is: discontentment.
Our often quoted friend Elisabeth Elliot writes, “Most of us would like to do something special in life, something to distinguish us. We suppose that we desire it for God’s sake, but more likely we are discontent with ordinary life and crave special privileges. When Israel asked if they should offer some spectacular sacrifice–thousands of rams, ten thousand ‘rivers of oil,’ a firstborn child–the answer was, ‘He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God’ (Mi 6:8 RSV).”
If you want to be extraordinary or spectacular, God has told us all we need to know. In these times, those who take God at His Word aren’t ordinary at all.
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What an excellent reminder from Elisabeth Elliot to not seek to be distinguished, but to seek to be faithful. I think what we often don’t realize is how relatively “easy” it is to be faithful! That next load of laundry is rarely difficult in the ultimate sense, but is simply not very exciting. Thanks for the reminder to walk humbly with our God.
Comment by Mary-Margaret (July 27, 2006 @ 12:53 am )
Great reminder…especially for us stay-at-home moms who can so easily become tired of the day-to-day “drudgery”. I know I have been there. But I keep reminding myself that for those of us raising kids, there is no more incredible place to be than to be taking care of and raising God’s precious gifts. It is honestly one of the most meaningful thing we can do in life. We just have to keep looking at the “big picture” on those days that the kids are squabbling and the dirty dishes are staring us in the face. And be thankful…for the gifts of our family and all that we have.
Blessings!
~Tammy
Comment by Tammy (July 27, 2006 @ 2:34 am )
Oh, this is what I needed today. I have been struggling with this very thing. I long for the new and different, and it often ends up in discontent. Thank you for bringing that quote to my attention and applying it so well.
Leigh Ann
Comment by leigh ann (July 27, 2006 @ 8:51 am )
How appropriate that this was my devotional today:
Small Things
by Os Hillman, July 27, 2006
Who despises the day of small things? - Zechariah 4:10
Life is filled with a series of small things that can amount to something big. Have you ever considered why the God of the universe came to earth and spent 33 years identifying with mankind through work? Jesus grew up as a carpenter’s son and, no doubt, learned the trade from His daily routine of helping His father. For 30 years He worked. When it was time for Him to begin to fulfill His purpose for mankind, He told countless stories of people and their work. He told stories of landowners, farmers, fishermen, tax collectors, and so on. He related to the everyday man because He Himself was one. This is why it was important for Him to have some personal work experience.
Life is filled with daily routines. Every now and then, God takes us to the mountaintop to experience His presence in a dramatic way. This is not the norm. It was not the norm for those in the Bible either. Moses spent 40 years in preparation. Paul spent a great deal of his life working toward the wrong purpose until a dramatic event changed his life. Jacob spent 20 years working for Laban.
God uses work to develop character qualities that He plans to use at the appropriate time. In the small things we develop trustworthiness with God. The day-in and day-out grind of working life molds us and makes us into what God desires. God may still be preparing you for something far greater. For now, however, you are learning the daily lessons of small things. Pray that you will be faithful.
Comment by V. (July 27, 2006 @ 9:02 am )
Very true, sometimes we get so caught up in doing something (spectacular), that we forget to simply do His work. I have struggled with this in the past and will continue in the future.
Precisely the reason I read your site, the KISS principle always seems to find it into your writing.
Todd
Comment by Todd (July 27, 2006 @ 10:11 am )
Thanks for this post, Amy! It hit the spot. This is my issue — discontentment. And I have often disguised it as “wanting a fresh adventure with God!” He HAS shown me what He wants from me, hasn’t He?
So, off I am today, to hunger and thirst after Him who made me…and to not think of all the great things I could do for Him or special privileges I would like!
Lord, make this true — give us all hunger and thirst for you, and the desire and ability to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You!
Comment by Deborah (July 27, 2006 @ 11:21 am )
My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, is also so convicting–but encouraging–on this point. I highly recommend it!
Comment by At A Hen's Pace (July 27, 2006 @ 4:05 pm )
Okay, this one hit between the eyes! I had lately read Isaiah 58, about the fast God has chosen: “…to share your bread with the hungry [2yo who mooches]…when you see the naked, that you cover him [or her, with a clean diaper], and not hide yourself from your own flesh [by zoning out with the TV or internet or books].” This was chosen by God rather than “they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways.” Wow.
I was also recently convicted of a surprisingly pervasive thought: “Some day, when I don’t have little ones anymore…” Ouch! That kind of thinking colors the whole day–”I’ll have a cleaner house when…” or “I’ll do better at homeschooling when…” I am confessing my sin one to another here–thanks for the confirmation and reminder!
Charlotte (mom of 12, ages 9mo to 23)
Comment by Charlotte (July 27, 2006 @ 5:52 pm )
it reminds me a little of our new condo… (to us anyway)… just settled, it was starting to feel like home… and I caught this thought in my mind.
“I wonder what are next bathroom will look like?”
Yeah, I’m thinking I like change!
Comment by ReneeM (July 27, 2006 @ 6:09 pm )
Great post Amy! I really needed to read that today! Thanks for sharing.
-Jamie
Comment by Jamie (July 27, 2006 @ 6:53 pm )
Thanks for the post - wonderful quote by Elisabeth Elliot and a great reminder for all of us. I believe a desire to live a life of significance is a gift from God. However, God intends for us to discover that significance in him.
Most of the time, I find that my greatest challenge is finding joy when I’m doing the mundane. That’s one of the reasons,I posted on this exact point recently.
Comment by andre_y (July 27, 2006 @ 10:17 pm )
This scripture has been going through my heart and mind these past few days, as well as the song (we sang it around the fire at summer camp).
Comment by Roberta (July 27, 2006 @ 11:44 pm )
I know this is off topic, but I just read some of the links featured on Jollyblogger about the feminization of the church. (Especially here and here) Very interesting. Thanks for putting it in your sidebar.
Comment by Leslie (July 28, 2006 @ 12:11 am )
Yeps, love that verse! How SIMPLE does it make living out our faith seem…I’m sure WE are the ones that complicate it!
Comment by Kristy (July 28, 2006 @ 12:53 am )
Speaking of Laundry, if you need motivation about the “little things” like laundry, read and re-read Barbara Curtis’ “Meet Me in the Laundry Room!” I read it twice, then lent it to a friend. I think I might read it again before I send it out again.
By the way, laundry was an exciting chore as a young child…I got to keep any loose change I found! I find that I like it more now because it had some pleasant associations as a child. Also, I’ve done so often, I can do it without thinking and focus on other things.
Comment by Elizabeth B (July 28, 2006 @ 7:48 am )
Thankyou for this wonderful reminder of God’s truth! What a joyful task we have as moms in the mundane everyday little things! To see God’s hand in everything…whether it is dishes or another load of laundry or a diaper needing to be changed…to praise God for this great opportunity to serve & glorify Him through it all! It truly is God’s highest calling for us women! What a joy to be pleasing to our Master!!
Comment by Jessica M. (mom of 10 month old twins) (August 1, 2006 @ 1:56 pm )
How amazing God works! My dearest friend Jessica sent this link to me. I opened a few days after she sent it to, much to the perfect timing of God’s wanting me to see contentment. As a mom of two little one’s and a wife of a pastor, I often find myself praying for contentment in where God has us. We live in an affluent community where people drive SUV’s, BMW’s and Mercedes’; they live in beautiful homes and have just about anything they want. Now… there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of those things. As a matter of fact, this was where and how I grew up. Now being on the flip side of things… not relying on my parents any longer… I find myself desiring to live a certain way… to drive a nice car… own a home… not have to want for anything. This article came at a perfect time. I had just begun to question why we were here in the first place. What an awesome reminder of where our contentment and our worth should be. Not in the things I struggle with, but in the striving to be more like our Maker… our wonderful Creator. He truly is my contentment. Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Comment by Summer (August 14, 2006 @ 2:04 pm )