It’s mid-morning. I dump the rest of his soggy cereal in the sink. Jesse is now at school, peppering his teaching aide with the same question, “when is P.E.?” It’s his favorite part of the day. Normally I listen to a podcast driving back home, navigating the morning traffic and various school zones. The Holy Ordinary Collective podcast highlights stories from everyday life- people like you and me. I’m struck with the exquisite detail in storytelling from the speaker as she composes the soundtrack to someone’s life.

The listener gets a window view into the ordinariness of it all, which may not seem newsworthy. But what I’m drawn to in these slices of life is the faith of the person in each story. The Lord weaves His tapestry of grace through the fabric of each sentence. The speaker’s soothing voice encourages my spirit by sharing snippets of a faithful follower. The stories here aren’t flashy, but lived out in the normal moments. The woman in Unexpected Gifts spoke of our lives lived not on the mountain tops or in valleys, but mainly somewhere in-between.

Pour the coffee. Drive to work. Put a load of laundry in. Repeat the next day.

So what does it look like for those of us who desire to usher in the Kingdom of God here? How can a stay-at-home mom, a full-time employee, the elderly, a high schooler, change the world? What does that even mean?

Bringing God’s Kingdom to earth, happens mostly as we live each day pursuing personal holiness, delighting in the wonder of God. The sacred work is in staying faithful right where God has called us.

Paul illustrates the body of Christ by comparing it to an actual body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). There are many parts and we each have a role to partake. We change the world in our own circle of influence. We raise the next generation, making disciples in our own home. We say ‘yes’ to an opportunity for local missions or lead a small group. We say ‘yes’ to staying faithful in our marriages, family devotions, and in prayer. We intentionally build relationships, attend our local church and look for ways to serve one another.

Our everyday life is where our faith grows up. This isn’t a product of moralism or legalism, but out of the root of genuine love for Jesus. We want to be like Him, to know Christ and to make Him known.

When we are tempted at the end of the day to rush through bedtime prayers with our kids let us remember how to patiently persevere. When the floor needs to be swept (again) from all the crumbs on the floor may we not complain. It may seem monotonous, pointless and even fruitless at times, but God uses us in the various jobs we have to point others to Christ in what we do and say. You may be the only person someone sees Jesus in today. We may never know the impact our words and simple acts of love have on another soul.

The Lord urges us to not grow weary in doing good. Your faithfulness to God’s design for your life is what makes you a world changer. I don’t think that’s an overstatement. We were not created to “save the world”. Jesus already did that. But we do get to take part in declaring Jesus’ mark on our lives to a lost people.

We plant our feet in the soil where we are, being deeply rooted in God’s Holy Word, serving as the living, breathing, body of Christ. The domino effect of our obedience brings God’s Kingdom to earth so that one day people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will give glory to God (Revelation 7:9-12).

So I’ll pick Jesse up from school this afternoon, in between the errands and grocery shopping. It isn’t glamorous, but it is obedient and pleases God.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10

Grace upon grace,

April