Drudgery

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…” (2 Peter 1:3-5)

Some quotes from today’s Oswald Chambers devotional below that stood out to me:

– Drudgery is the test of genuine character.
– The greatest hindrance in our spiritual life is that we will only look for big things to do.
– The routine of life is actually God’s way of saving us between our times of great inspiration which come from Him.
– We say we do not expect God to take us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as if we do!

I am more than aware of the distractions that pop up when “drudge” activities need to be done. Suddenly I can think of several other things I should be doing rather than these. But none of this is a surprise to God and I must have faith that there is something for me and my spiritual development in the mundane tasks that lie ahead of me which need to be completed.

Who knows what people I will come into contact as part of these tasks? What will happen when I come in contact with someone or something difficult to deal with? Take your pic – a grumpy cashier, a difficult customer service rep on the phone, another driver on the road, etc. Our days are filled with contact with other people that are, shall we say less than satisfying? Am I able to display the same grace and patience He has with me?

I’ll finish with another quote from Oswald:

“When you are joyful, be joyful; when you are sad, be sad. If God has given you a sweet cup, don’t make it bitter; and if He has given you a bitter cup, don’t try and make it sweet; take things as they come.”

Our goal is not to try to shape life to suit our needs so we have no unpleasantness, but to look at what is before us and ask God what it’s purpose is in our life.

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The Test of Character

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge. — 2 Peter 1:5

You have inherited the divine nature, says Peter (2 Peter 1:4). Now focus your attention and form habits. Be diligent. Concentrate. No one is born with character, either naturally or supernaturally. We have to make character. Nor are we born with habits. We have to form habits based on the new life God has put into us. We aren’t meant to be shiny, illuminated versions of humanity, floating above everyone else. We’re meant to lead common, ordinary lives that exhibit the marvel of the grace of God. Our willingness to work at whatever task God gives us is how we add to our faith. We must work diligently, no matter how lowly or insignificant the task appears in the eyes of the world. Drudgery is the great test of character. The most significant obstacle to our spiritual development is that we look for big, important things to do, and will not do the thing that lies close at hand because we think it’s beneath us.

“Jesus . . . began to wash his disciples’ feet” (John 13:3, 5). There are times when there is no illumination in our lives, no thrill or excitement, just the daily routine with its ordinary tasks. Routine is God’s way of saving us between times of inspiration. Don’t expect God to give you thrills. Learn to live in the domain of drudgery by his power.

“Make every effort . . .” We say we don’t expect God to carry us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, but we act as though we do! The tiniest detail in which we obey has the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If we do our duty, not for duty’s sake but because we believe God is engineering our circumstances, the whole superb grace of God is ours through the atonement the very moment we obey.