Reclaiming the joy of normality
‘So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ — 1 Corinthians 10:31
‘…too often we look for the Spirit in the extraordinary when God has promised to be present in the ordinary.’ — James K.A. Smith
When we’re younger, we spend much of our time chasing novelty:
New experiences.
New relationships.
New ideas.
New things.
Novelty isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it can fuel our curiosity, expand our knowledge and deepen our appreciation of God’s good world.
But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate the much more ordinary and unremarkable rhythms of normality:
Sipping morning coffee in the quiet before work.
Enjoying a slow lunchtime walk.
Laughing with friends around the kitchen table.
You see, most of our lives aren’t lived on the extraordinary mountaintops of novelty, but along the slow, winding, ordinary path of normality.
I’ve come to learn that God dwells as much in these ordinary moments—the daily liturgies of waking, working, eating, exercising, playing and resting—as He does in the extraordinary ones.
We simply need eyes to see and ears to hear.
Reclaiming the joy of the ordinary
How can we learn to see and enjoy God in the everyday, seemingly mundane moments of our lives?
We must remember why God created us, and why God saved us.
Consider these words from Paul: “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever!” (Romans 11:36).
You were made by Him.
You are held by Him.
You are intended for His glory.
And, in His great mercy, He redeemed you for Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Our lives—both now and for eternity—are a gift from Him, and they are all for His glory.
In view of this reality, our so-called ordinary lives take on an extraordinary meaning, purpose and value. It is for this reason that Paul says elsewhere: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
What would our lives look like if we slowed down and learnt to really see these everyday mercies as they really are: as gracious gifts from our good and loving Father, intended to bring glory to Him?
The meals we eat.
The wine we drink.
The ordinary rhythms of rising, our working, our resting, our playing.
Not only would we go through our days with a deeper awareness of God's presence, but we would see every moment as an opportunity to worship and glorify Him.
So, today, stop for a moment.
Receive 'normality' as a gift.
And, with Paul, give God the praise He deserves: “All glory to him forever!”
With love,
Mike
