~The true test of a person's spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exiting happening. ~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Ordinariness is where life is lived. It is the day to day of life. It is the getting up each morning, doing one's loving duty and the sweetness of the evening with those we love.
There are always events in life in which one's character is revealed. We (I) often think that it's the big events of life that test our (my) character, but I think maybe not always. Might it be that the true testing is in the day to day of life? In the ordinary times?
An event, good or bad, may be the beginning of a time of trial and testing, but I think that it's not the event that is the test.
Paul says in Romans 5:3-5, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
In my own walk with the Lord it has been the day to day of life after an "event" where I am tested. Can I still get up in the morning? Can I still make the bed? Can I still do the laundry, the dishes, prepare meals, teach my children, love my husband, clean the bathroom, vacuum the floor, do the grocery shopping, teach my children and love my husband?
It is in the ordinariness of life that I lean on Jesus because I have learned that in my own strength I can not carry on. In the ordinariness of life I learn that God is to be trusted and that His burden is light. In the ordinariness of life I learn to walk with God.
And in the ordinariness of life God transforms me (Romans 12:2).
Oswald Chambers says in My Utmost for His Highest (October 12th), [God] has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus - "He will not fail nor be discouraged..." (Isaiah 42:4) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God's Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible."
It is in the day to day things of life that God begins and continues to work in me through His Holy Spirit, changing the atmosphere of my heart and mind, renewing and transforming me. Changing my "me" centeredness to Him centeredness. Changing my dependence on myself to dependence on Him, ultimately leading me to hope in Him, joy in spite of circumstances and a peace that passes understanding.
It is in the ordinariness of life that I lean on Jesus because I have learned that in my own strength I can not carry on. In the ordinariness of life I learn that God is to be trusted and that His burden is light. In the ordinariness of life I learn to walk with God.
And in the ordinariness of life God transforms me (Romans 12:2).
Oswald Chambers says in My Utmost for His Highest (October 12th), [God] has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus - "He will not fail nor be discouraged..." (Isaiah 42:4) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God's Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible."
It is in the day to day things of life that God begins and continues to work in me through His Holy Spirit, changing the atmosphere of my heart and mind, renewing and transforming me. Changing my "me" centeredness to Him centeredness. Changing my dependence on myself to dependence on Him, ultimately leading me to hope in Him, joy in spite of circumstances and a peace that passes understanding.
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