when we had finished the voyage from tyre, we arrived at ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. [acts 21:7]
obedience in the mundane — comes from remembering the war and knowing the Majestic One!
not every day is filled with obvious and overt over-the-top moments of adventure and excitement in following the Lord.
some days feel … very normal, mundane, simple, and maybe even a little boring.
yes, in the Spirit, everyday is an adventure with the Lord!
but some days feel and are a little more subdued, they are little less heart pounding, and they are a little more predictable, routine, and ordinary.
this day for paul was on the lower end of his heart-pounding adventures. a voyage by sea i’m sure was always a bit trying in that time period (not a disney cruise) – but he had done this many dozens of times. and now, he was getting to see “brothers” and sisters in the faith and stay with them.
this was not a pulse pounding day. this day did not scream “i need Jesus” or “walk in step with the Spirit.”
but …
as you and i both know, it is on these days that even more we need Jesus, we need the Spirit.
to walk in joyful obedience to the Spirit in the mundane is not our flesh’s desire. it is at war with the Spirit at every moment – not just in the moments when the war is obvious to us.
but i say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. for the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [galatians 5:16-17]
today or tomorrow, you will have many mundane moments. moments when the spiritual war seems far away, but where the Lord is still calling you to joyful obedience — because the war is still close at hand, creeping to subdue your heart.
what’s at stake — obedience in the heart: with your eyes, with your mouth, with your relationships, with your marriage, with your submission, with your thoughts, with your pursuits, with your desires, with your leadership, with your surrender and more!
joyful obedience in the most seemingly mundane moments has many layers but here are two keep components:
1) we must remember, we are always in a war. our flesh and satan — do not pause in their attack.
2) we must know the joy of the Majestic One – our Lord! he is our joy in the crazy and mundane moments! (ps 16:11)
today – press into the joy of the Lord’s presence. i need your joy Lord!
ask for his joy as you stop and engage his presence. you are with me!
ask for his joy and believe it is yours in Christ by his work – not yours! help my unbelief!
ask for his joy and to know it more fully today — no matter the task at hand. even in the mundane Lord!
ask to remember the war is at hand. Spirit fill me. i submit to you!
in Jesus’ majestic and holy name! amen!
~ john ryan