November 25, 2018

Don't Despise the Daily Grind!

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart

(Galatians 6:9).

Occasionally a day comes along when a big event introduces significant, and obvious, change into our lives. If the change is for the better, we go to bed and give thanks for the growth we've experienced that day. Yet all of us know that life is not made up of days like this. On most days, nothing very unusual happens; we simply move through the ordinary routine of our all‑too‑familiar schedule. And after weeks of nothing but the daily grind, we tend to grow impatient, feeling that nothing is "happening" in our lives. But what should be our attitude toward the ordinary? Do we simply have to endure the commonplace, hoping that sooner or later another "big" day will come along?

Here's the answer: we shouldn't despise the daily grind. That is where the real growth takes place. Our progress on average days may not be as obvious as the progress we make on extraordinary occasions, but the growth is real, and in a sense, it's more important. Healthy spiritual growth doesn't come in spurts; it comes through "patient continuance in doing good" (Romans 2:7).

When we read the exciting account of the early days of the church in Jerusalem, we're intrigued by the stories of martyrdom and the proclamation of the gospel before kings and other great audiences. But although these brethren did accomplish thrilling things on certain days, no finer thing is said about them in the Book of Acts than this simple statement: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). They continued steadfastly!

We need to pay more attention to the simple doing of our ordinary "duty." Most people, even those of little character, can rise to the occasion when they're in the spotlight. But the question is, what will we do with today . . . when nothing will happen, when no one will be looking, and when there'll be no particular reason to do our best, except a desire to keep on serving our King? It's days like today that are the true test of our love for Him. If we're not faithful in what is "least," what is "much" will not save us.

It is the daily strivings that count,

not the momentary heights.

A. J. Russell