Nothing Is Too Ordinary for God
I used to have a problem with being easily bored. Then I would say too much, goof off too much, complain too much and generally become difficult to love.
But when I began practicing the presence of God because I wanted to have a more conversational, interactive life with God, it also cured my boredom. Paying attention to God all day long meant that I was never without a companion, that I was never lonely.
I learned to wash a dish not just to get it clean but because I love the person who will eat from it. I began catching sunsets, smiling at how God paints impressionistic, Van-Goghesque pictures nightly in the overflow of managing the cosmos. I sensed that God–the scientist and painter—does routine things with great joy. And I could join in.
As noticing details and talking to God about them became routine, my day was not so routine anymore. I began experiencing the “with God” life, living in God’s companionship all day long.
This may seem unimportant but it is all-important. As one of my HIU students wrote: Many think humans have two separate lives, real life and spiritual life. This dichotomy has left people wondering why they should bother following Christ and many Christ-followers wondering why Jesus doesn’t seem to make a difference in their real lives. (Thanks, Tyler Myers)
God really wants to be with us, even in the most earthy things When the Son of God became human, he spent most of his life working with his hands as a carpenter. As the oldest son, he would have become the entrepreneur/business guy, president of Joseph & Sons. Finding the best wood, experiencing setbacks, doing customer service, and sweeping up afterward were how Jesus spent most of his time on earth. I’m guessing he lived that so-called normal life with a sense of supernatural companionship and empowerment. “The Son can do nothing on his own,” he explained to his opponents, “but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (John 5:19). He carried out an earthly existence while staying connected to the Father at all times. (Thanks, Kelly Odor) As represented in the person of Jesus, the Father cares about our earthy, everyday lives, so much so that he came down to earth to experience it.
And so we hang out with God as we wait in line to check out in a store. Instead of getting crabby at waiting, we venture out to speak to someone. Instead of scanning the covers of tabloids, we hum a song or ponder a phrase from Scripture. This is the life we were built for: Enjoying the Presence of God. Wanna try it?
- A few mornings ago, I awoke about 5 AM and sat on my back porch. I was watching the stars and decided to talk to God about it. I pulled up Psalm 8, then 19 on my lit iPad and began: The heavens tell of your glory (your beauty! your brilliance), O God! The skies show-off your marvelous craftsmanship. And so on
- Before bed or upon waking, I make a list of all the things I’m thankful for from that previous day: conversations, emails, taking one more step on a project, feeling good after a workout, overcoming fear or dread.
It all counts. You never have to be bored or lonely again.
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