Friday, February 3, 2012

The Glory Of Mundane Tasks

Posted in Ephesians

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

Our little Katherine was born with a sweet, compliant, and cheerful disposition and she has grown into a very patient, kind, and gentle 10 year old.  Ironically she is also totally fascinated with all things spooky, like creepy mysteries and ghost stories.  Not much scares her, which is why the beginning of Eph. 2 is right up her ally. Paul begins by teaching us that we are born spiritual zombies! That’s right, the living dead (2:1).

We Are Created For Good Works

This dark reality is true of us all. (2:3). But God is a God who revives skeletons (Ezekiel 37), brings the dead out of their tombs (Jn. 11), and breaths new life into the spiritually lifeless. It is God who gives new hearts and new spirits (Ezekiel 36 ).

So, when Paul says, “we are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10) he is pointing to this new life in Jesus. F.F. Bruce says God has taken something that was spiritually dead and ugly and turned it into “a work of art, a masterpiece,” beautiful and precious in the eyes of God. That is what we are, a beautiful masterpiece. This is the reason why we have nothing to boast in, except our Redeemer himself (Eph. 2:9).

The question we have to ask then is for what purpose did God rescue and remake us?

My kids can’t wait to get to heaven. They have this idea that when they get there they can pick any animal God ever created as their pet. But “going to heaven” is only one of many reasons He saves us. God redeems us for His glory, to show His grace, His generosity, His love, and here in Ephesians 2:10 Paul tells us we have been saved for good works (Eph.2:10).

Jesus hasn’t rescued us from hell and helplessness for us to be idle and fruitless. Titus 2:14 tell us that Jesus died for us so that we would be zealous for good works. He wants us to be enthusiastic, passionate and even intense about doing good.

Good Works Are Created For Us

Simply defined good works are those things God commands us to do in faith for His glory. So what high and lofty missions does God have planned for me?

It might not be what you have in mind.  I was chiseling gum off my couch last week and then spent some time scraping unidentifiable gook off my floor when it occurred to me that this is the good work that God has prepared for me to do. Jesus died for me to do this.

Say what?!! What about bringing meals to new moms, or packing everything up and moving to unknown parts of the world to share Christ with people who have never heard? What about leading Bible studies or adopting orphans and caring for the elderly? Aren’t those “good works?” Yes, absolutely, those are great things that God has planned for some of us, but so is vacuuming up piles of cheerios from the car, ironing shirts, cooking meals for picky eaters, pulling weeds, organizing our home, scraping dried toothpaste off of bathroom mirrors, disciplining children, and going on dates with our husbands – all with an eye towards God’s glory (1 Cor. 10:31). God commands us to be faithful and fruitful wherever He has called us.

I realize that good works are something we should do with a cheerful heart, but I often fail. Do you?  What are we missing? I think it comes down to the fact that we do not believe or see that even these tasks have been ordained by God for our good.

We tend to lose sight of the fact that the mundane things we do are made holy, just as holy as translating the Bible into another language, because they have been assigned by a wise King who knows better than us how we can glorify Him, and how we can be changed into the image of Christ. Theses are not just any old works, these are works that God custom made for you and me.

And God calls us to walk in them (Eph 2:10). To live them out. We think that we deviate off the path God has for us if we commit adultery, or gossip, or some other really “evil” thing,  but we also deviate off the path when we ignore the works that God has placed before us this very day.

Therefore, the challenge before us is to recognize that both the big and the small tasks in our lives have been prepared for us by God. Christ died so that we might walk in good works.  Do not cast them aside! For in them we will grow in the knowledge of God, and Christlikeness.

Looking to Jesus,

 

 

 

Books that will take you deeper:

The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges
My Life for Yours by Douglas Wilson
50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper (Free)

Posted in Ephesians

18 comments

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Angie in Guernsey - February 3, 2012 - 1:02 am

This is amazing. I have struggled with the study this week, for reasons which are essentially nothing to do with the verses, but nevertheless found it difficult. This post has crystallized the meaning for me – I particularly loved the ‘zombie’ analogy! And although I am not in the place of having the chores and joys of young children in my life, yet this post is an inspiring reminder to ‘do everything for the glory of God’ (1 Peter 4:11 says: If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.)

Angie in Guernsey - February 3, 2012 - 1:02 am

This is amazing. I have struggled with the study this week, for reasons which are essentially nothing to do with the verses, but nevertheless found it difficult. This post has crystallized the meaning for me – I particularly loved the ‘zombie’ analogy! And although I am not in the place of having the chores and joys of young children in my life, yet this post is an inspiring reminder to ‘do everything for the glory of God’ (1 Peter 4:11 says: If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.)

Stephanie Wilson - February 3, 2012 - 1:35 am

Yes! Great analogies Jen. We were the walking dead! Creepy creepy but we are now so alive in Christ! So much to be thankful for. But wait there’s more ;) . Doing what God calls us to do daily…. I can relate having lost a job that consumed my life about 6 months ago. I decided to daily do what was in front of me for Gods glory! After all He is our employer. I really still have daily work to do.

Love this post as I can so relate!

Thanks – Steph

sue - February 3, 2012 - 4:04 am

Well said! I actually have an unexpected day off today with no one to spend it with and all last night I tried to decide just how I was going to spend “my day”until it occurred to me this morning, prior to starting my devotions, that it wasn’t “my day”, it is “our day”. Now, I’m very excited to see how He decides to spend this day. But, I was also reminded that this is how I should approach everyday not just today and I can’t help wondering just how different “our days” would be if I did….. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
Thank you all again for all you do to put this study together! God bless you all! Sue

Joyce@Joyful Creations at Home - February 3, 2012 - 5:04 am

This is great! I posted it on my blog and linked it back here. These are the thoughts I have had in my head for years, but just didn’t know how to put into words. Thanks so much! I am so glad I found you girls!

Angie - February 3, 2012 - 5:16 am

Oh my goodness, I don’t think I can even find the words to express how much this spoke to me! I am always wishing God would use me in a “big” way and need to remember that as I do the mundane tasks of each day “all with an eye towards God’s glory” that I am being used by Him in a big way. Thank you for putting this so succinctly Jen!

Leslie - February 3, 2012 - 5:42 am

i was so glad to read these words this morning….because that is exactly what i saw. that my family, house and kids are the calling God put in my life….am i carrying out the tasks before me in a way that honors that? thank you for this….it really helped me finish out this week with eyes more open!

Alexis - February 3, 2012 - 5:53 am

I really needed this today!! I loved your article – it was absolutely wonderful. Thank you!!

Tessy - February 3, 2012 - 6:27 am

“Yes, absolutely, those are great things that God has planned for some of us”

I agree with most of the post BUT lets not limit God. “Some of us” Yes, I understand that we can find God even in the Mundane tasks of our lives but I also know personally that the words “SOME OF US” limited me a lot. I thought everyone else was called to something bigger but not me. But that is not what scripture says.

I believe that EVERYONE is called to take care of the orphans and elderly. Maybe not adoption but in some way. Leading Bible studies.. yep believe everyone should be – maybe not the leader of a big group but personal discipleship with a friend.

So I believe “ALL OF US” have a greater purpose– because scripture says we do – but we limit ourselves. Please don’t misunderstand – I believe being a mother and wife is one of the most important roles we have. But our even greater purpose is reaching those that are lost….

kristy - February 3, 2012 - 6:55 am

Wow! Ditto on everything above. I wrote in my notes that the only time I “plan in advance” it when it is a big exciting deal.. like a trip, a party, a birth, or a move. So to think God planned in advanced for my little old life is an even bigger and more exciting deal. In between my two kids I had two miscarrages, so I know caring for my kids was important to HIM, but laundry, dinners, and making a happy home are too… and sharing HIS way with my neighbors and community and even my blog or FB… amazing!

Betty-Jo - February 3, 2012 - 6:56 am

Wow! This hit home…thank you so much. I have been struggling and this has helped me alot. Talk about an eye opener. wow..Thank you God. Thank you for the studies yall do and I am so glad God led me to gmg.

Julie - February 3, 2012 - 7:00 am

These were just my thoughts (from two years ago) on the subject of the mundane and fulfilling the good works that God has prepared for me and wants me to walk in. Understanding his will cannot be any clearer. Yet, there are days when I am not always delighting in that truth.

Thanks for this post and now, my (more than) two cents on the matter…

“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Just a few days ago, the most awful thoughts filled my head, and worse, I actually said them. The statement sort of went like this:

“I am so sick of waiting on everyone. I am tired of eating my dinner last and I just wish you could all leave the kitchen while I eat my now cold food, alone.”

Can you believe the above statement came from a 40 year-old woman and NOT a five year old child? Now, if you are feeling the slightest bit sorry for me, don’t. I spent a lot of time on the pity pot for this one. And if you want to shake me and scream, “Grow-up!” that’s okay. I’ll take that. Because as soon as it came out of my mouth, I knew in my heart I was defiling the Lord.

I heard the words come out of my mouth and KNEW as I was saying them, that my assessment of the situation was wrong. And not once while I was speaking, nor after, did I feel “good” or get any pleasure by what I said. Hmmm. That got me thinking.

Some of you may relate. I don’t need to tell you all how the day goes, but for the most part it’s like washing your hair: rinse, lather, repeat. However, I now ask myself, am I able to find fulfillment in that mundane? Can I find pleasure in folding the six loads of laundry? Can I delight in the pile of dishes in my sink? Can I stare one more moment at unmade beds and dust bunnies running for cover under my furniture?

The answer is I can. And I will. This is my calling. Follower of Christ, wife, mother, friend. It is necessary that I find fulfillment in the mundane of my life. Only then will I understand true joy, and walk in the ways the Lord has called me.

Sharon - February 3, 2012 - 7:05 am

I sometimes feel like I’m not being used by God because I am in a season of life where my time is mostly spent with my daughter. But, this post reminded me that being a Mom is one of the biggest ways God can use us. Thank you for affirming this.

Jen Thorn - February 3, 2012 - 10:14 am

Tessy,

I am sorry if I was unclear,let me explain what I meant. As Christians we all have the highest calling possible, to “live in a manner worthy of our calling.” (Eph 4:1; 2 Thess. 1:11) All of us are created with one grand purpose, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.” There is nothing higher than this, and this grand purpose is ultimately what makes obedience to God in all areas of life– big and small– holy, joyful, and fulfilling.

Scripture is clear that we all have differing gifts according to the grace given to us. So, for example, “not all are teachers.”

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
(Romans 12:3-8 ESV)

If I don’t have the gift of teaching it doesn’t mean I have no responsibility to teach, but that this will be exercised in a very different way than someone who does. Ultimately, my point is that we tend to exalt some work higher than another. We tend to think that the full time vocational missionary in a remote corner of the world is doing more spiritual work than the mom who raises her kids, or the husband who sweeps the street. The truth is, all our work, done in faith unto the glory of God, is sacred work. In God’s eyes there is no small work.

I hope you have a really great weekend.

Jen

Leanne - February 3, 2012 - 1:04 pm

this article brings the close of Ephesians 2 to a greater light. As a stay at home mom I often feel like my contribution is so small yet am I focusing on what I know God has called me to do? The mundane? So good to read and reiterate into my journal, thanks!

Sara - February 3, 2012 - 1:19 pm

Thank you for that clear reminder that God created the mundane tasks of daily life for us to do just as much as the bigger, more visible tasks.

sharon Neri - February 4, 2012 - 7:41 am

Thank you for the words and thoughts, Went over & over and learned so much…….. Praise God for Loving me !!!!!!!!

Jackie - February 4, 2012 - 8:12 pm

Each day regardless of what we have to do, or what is going on in our lives we can find the good in all things. Our lives do seem mundane at times but to your child, your spouse, your friend it is not mundane at all. Every thing you do for someone comes back at you tenfold. I dont mean in the way or material things. Just open the door for someone, let someone in front of you who has been waiting a while, tell someone have a nice day, pick up the phone and call someone you haven’t talked to in a while. If nothing else, SMILE at someone. I have always believed and I tell my 1st and 2nd grade discipleship class a smile can change someone’s life, just as a phone call could save someone’s life. So no matter how Mundane you think it is, think about the days when you could have used a smile or a hug or a phone call. I promise you all your good deeds will come back to you in the form of a blessing.

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