Twenty-seven thousand. Looking back over decades spent raising a hungry tribe, I’ve prepared and served at least that many meals, not to mention birthday and holiday spreads. I even had a simple spreadsheet detailing dishes I could make when certain proteins were on sale. While I enjoyed caring for my family in this way, the rewards were fleeting, as the meal was typically gobbled up in a matter of minutes. All that was left was a mound of dirty dishes which we all tackled together. One down, twenty-six thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine to go.
When our children were all home, I would often remind them that most of life consisted of “everyday days” - nothing flashy or exciting. While the season of intense culinary ministry has since passed for me, the principle remains - living faithfully in the here-and-now, doing whatever is before us.
Scripture offers many examples of saints who did just that. Mordecai reported an assassination plot that he overheard, resulting in the conspirators being hanged. Later, God used Mordecai’s loyal act to save the Jews from annihilation (Esther 6:1-10), but at the time, he received no commendation for his efforts (Esther 2:21-23). Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-11), empowered by the Spirit as master craftsmen, created beauty that adorned the tabernacle of God. Without fanfare, a poor widow offered her last penny (Mark 12:42-44). Joseph of Arimathea risked his reputation and very life to request permission to give Jesus’ body a proper burial (Luke 23:50-53). Abram obeyed God’s call to leave his home country, not knowing where he was going (Genesis 12:1).
Although some, like Mordecai, saw glimpses of the benefits of their actions, most did not fully grasp how God intended to use their everyday faithfulness in his master plan. Rather, out of reverence for God, they moved forward into the task at hand, each in his/her own unique way.
So how can we not grow weary doing good in whatever sphere of influence the Lord has placed us? Here are some points to consider.
Purposely marinate in God’s grace. Remember daily the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior who saved us “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…” (Titus 3: 4-5). We bring our foolish, disobedient, malicious, and envious selves to the Lord, and he lavishes us with his grace through Christ. This truth fills us with an “abundance of joy” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).
Do the next thing, beginning today.1 Are finals looming? Take a brisk walk for perspective and make a list of assignments. Desire healthier eating habits? Choose a smoothie over the usual donut. Organize your downloads. Genuinely engage that potential client before jumping into business. Set aside today’s to-do list and enjoy a popsicle with your little one. Reach out to that friend. Start your day by fixing your bed.2
Leave the results to God. Twice God repeated as he charged Ezekiel to take his message to the people of Israel, “And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 2:7). We are not sovereign. We do not know how people will respond, nor the outcome of our actions. We can move forward with confidence, trusting that the Lord will take care of the rest.
During those crazy, 27,000-meal days, I had a little secret. Above my stove sat a shiny, black-lacquered box engraved with an elegant, gold leaf. As I cooked, I’d add a generous sprinkling of the box’s contents. Interestingly, in over 25 years of use, the contents never ran dry. Their curiosity piqued, my children tried to guess the “spice,” but I never let them know. Inside the box sat the following, hand-written on a heart-shaped paper:
Add one heaping tablespoon of love into everything you do.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
Footnotes
- do-the-next-thing-elisabeth-elliot ↩︎
- If You Want to Change the World, Start Off by Making Your Bed - William McRaven, US Navy Admiral ↩︎
Moved by the Lord’s unrelenting, covenantal grace in her life, Lori desires to help others apprehend and embrace his grace as well. Additionally, she values hearing and...
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