This time of the year one usually becomes tired, longing for a break or change. Do you wish your life could be different or more extraordinary? We read about the great miracles in the Bible, the miraculous deeds people have done for the Lord, but we forget the ordinary that preceded that.
Let’s look at a couple of examples in the Bible.
The Samaritan woman was drawing water from the well, just like any other day. Then, one day Jesus was waiting for her at the well, shared the Gospel with her, and a whole village came to know Jesus and what He offered in life. Doing the mundane faithfully lead to a different life after her encounter with Jesus. She was a changed person and became a missionary.
Saul was looking for his father’s missing donkeys. This was most probably not out of the ordinary. While on this search with his servant, he came to meet Samuel, who anointed him as the first king of Israel. God had informed Samuel already that he would be sending Saul to Samuel. Saul did not know this. God was already working behind the scenes and planning all the detail. But, Saul had to follow His father’s instruction and go to look for his donkeys to be in the right place where he met Samuel.
Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the desert for 40 years. One day, while doing this monotonous task, he saw the burning bush and met with God. He was called to deliver his people, and became one of the greatest leaders in the Bible.
Gideon was beating wheat in the winepress when the Angel of the Lord visited him and called him to save his people from the Midianites. It was while Gideon was doing the mundane that the Lord expressed to Him that he was a mighty warrior. He won many battles with the Lord for Israel.
David was tending his father’s sheep before Samuel arrived and anointed him as king. While doing his everyday responsibility, David learned about God’s goodness and faithfulness. He also acquired the skills necessary to defeat Goliath. David became one of the greatest kings of all time, even though he had ordinary seasons in his life.
Jesus called His disciples to follow Him while they were doing their everyday activities. Just think about Peter and Andrew as examples. Jesus called them while they were fishing. When they woke-up that morning to go and fish, as usual, they did not know that it would be a special day where their lives would change forever. The life-changing event of meeting and following Jesus happened while doing the mundane.
Elijah was instructed by God to call Elisha as his successor. Elisha was also doing everyday work when Elijah at the field and called him to follow him. While being busy with the same thing he probably did most days, God had already put His plan in motion to call Elisha as the next great prophet.
1 Kings 19:19 AMP ”So Elijah departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his mantle (coat) on him.”
There are many examples of ordinary people doing ordinary daily work and chores. All of these people’s lives changed and became extraordinary in an instant. So, do not become weary of doing good, as Paul writes in Galatians. Do not underestimate how God can use your seemingly mundane tasks to move you to the supernatural or extraordinary.
Keep working diligently with your current assignment. Be it your schoolwork, studies, that seemingly boring job, taking care of the children, working for that ungrateful boss, or doing that job that brings the same tasks and people across your path every day. Consistency produces excellence, growth, change, and results over time. Remember that God never sleeps. He sees all and knows all. Nothing, no effort, and no determination and perseverance go unnoticed. Do all you do, especially when you feel your duties are unexciting, with a positive attitude.
Colossians 3:23 TPT “Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.”
Still, while being patient and faithful in your monotonous activities, you are allowed to hope for more. Expect the extraordinary and trust by faith in God to do that for you. God is the God of the impossible. If we remain faithful in the little, God can trust us with more. Do not underestimate the ordinary in your life. It can easily lead to paths of greatness because God has good plans for you, and with Him, nothing is mundane. God is within you and on your side. He promises a life that will always have meaning and a higher purpose. In an instant, when you least expect it, God brings the supernatural or extraordinary across your path.
Luke 16:10 TPT “The one who manages the little he has been given with faithfulness and integrity will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more.”
When God promised to give Jericho into Joshua and the Israelites’ hands, He gave them specific instructions to follow. It might have seemed mundane to do the same silent walking, every day, for six consecutive days as a seasoned soldier. Then to top it off, with another six rotations on the seventh day, before they could shout and experience miraculous victory.
Have you been doing a mundane activity for some time now, hoping for more? Just like a soldier marching around a city, day-after-day with no fighting? You have done the same routine tasks God has asked you to do, with no real change towards the new you are expecting?
Remember, God promised victory to Joshua, but it was on His terms. Similarly, God gives us a promise or calling, but it will be according to His terms, way, and timing. Israel could have become impatient and feel that they would have done it differently. But, being obedient, by doing the mundane, was important for Israel’s victory. It showed their trust in God.
Look at your repetitive routine, responsibility, or task with new eyes, my friend. Trust in God and what He can bring across your path when doing the ordinary. He already has plans in motion. The mundane may lead to the right person, contact, connection, place, or opportunity that you would have otherwise missed had you not stay consistently faithful. God is in your present-day, tomorrow, and your future. Being faithful will lead to what is promised in your next season. Nothing is in vain when we follow God.
Stay resolute in the small and mundane my friend.
Talita
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