Plain days

12/366 Aussie bush, a photo by bobmendo on Flickr.

Today from Oswald Chambers' "My utmost for his highest":

"We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing— that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life."

I love my wife and she's a terrific cook and homemaker. No one can do what she does with as little as I've given her over these 36 years. And I'm a well-fed person, to be sure, but honestly I remember very few of the meals that she's ever made for me. By that, I do not mean to degrade her, or her style, her flair, her excellence. Maybe I'm simply telling about me! That said, I find Chambers' words resounding in my mind today. And the photo I took of the Aussie bush reflects this as well.

What I mean is this. Plain days are ordinary. Normal. Continual. Most days are not exciting. Most of life is dull. But dull is underrated today. Too many people look for thrills and excitement. The need for 'fun' outweighs the need to be faithful. Married people often divorce because they get bored; they think it ought to be more.

Sunrises only last for a few minutes. Most of the day is the ordinary time. Most of the day is dull. Don't be so enamored with the sunset and demand it to last all day. IT won't. You will (both) be disappointed. Inspirations are useful for a moment, then we have to put our hands to the plow.

More from Oswald today: "Sometimes it is not the difficulty of life but the drudgery of it that makes me think God will forsake me. When there is no major difficulty to overcome, no vision from God, nothing wonderful or beautiful— just the everyday activities of life— do I hear God’s assurance even in these?"

Do you?