Ordinary Moments. Eternal Significance.

In today’s sermon, we talked about how God can use the ordinary moments for eternal significance, especially when we see them as a gift. In this devotional, please allow me to take more liberty than usual to demonstrate that concept. Just imagine with me that God comes to you at the end of the day and says something like, “Today was my gift to you. Let’s talk about what you did with it. What did you do today?”
 
You: “Well, it was just another boring day. I woke up as usual and…”
God: “Wait, wait, wait… You got out your comfortable bed in your warm house? And you stood up and readied yourself with no problem? You realize not everyone got up that way this morning, right? That’s my gift to you.”
You: “Oh… uh… I guess I didn’t think about that. I am extremely blessed, aren’t I?”
God: “More than you know. So what else did you do?”
You: “Well, I was drove to work and…”
God: “Wait. Did you just drive?”
You: “No, actually. You know. I uh… prayed about the day and worshipped along with the praise song on the radio. It was just the right song for me this morning.”
God: “That’s more like it. It was a great drive for both of us. You didn’t miss it.”
You: “Then I just went to work and after work, I...”
God: “Woah, woah, woah… what did you do at work?”

[I’m going to fill in several vocations to make a point]
 
You: “Well, you know, I’m a construction worker. I was helping build a house outside of town for that new young family moving to town.”
God: “Oh, but not just any house. Did you know that because you built that house as if doing it for me like Colossians 3:23 says, that house is going to be an incredible blessing to the family that lives there? They are going to make many special memories in that house and they will thank me for that home many times over. They will really appreciate the extra quality you put into your work!”
You: “Oh wow, sometimes I wonder… But I never thought about them living in it long term much.”
 
God: “What did you do at work today?”
You: “Well, I’m just an optometrist so I helped correct some lenses and do checkups like usual. It was a pretty average day.”
God: “Do you remember when that young man came to see you today?”
You: “Yes, I do. He needed new glasses pretty bad!”
God: “Well, because you gave him new glasses, he can read without so many headaches and because of that, he’s so much happier! In fact, he’s going to take up a serious study of the Bible soon. He’s going to be able to read my Word and find new life in Christ because of that. Isn’t that great? Then there was that recently widowed Ms. Brown who came into your office late in the day. You didn’t know it, but she’s been feeling extremely discouraged and your extraordinary kindness to her really brightened her day. In fact, she’s noticing something different in you and is wondering what makes you that way. You didn’t know it but that was the planting a seed for her too. I will make today’s day beautiful in its time.”

God: “So what did you do at work?”
You: “Well, you know I’m a farmer so I just did a bunch of paperwork after finishing up harvest. Pretty boring stuff really.”
God: “You do know we’re partners in that right? You plant it and I grow it?”
You: “Yeah, that’s pretty cool when you think about it! I guess I don’t thank you enough for growing the crop and providing the rain that I pray for.”
God: “Yeah, I really enjoy providing my creation. Did you know that your crops are going to be used to feed thousands of families? Many families are going to enjoy dinner together with the food you grew on your farm, just like how you enjoyed dinner with your family tonight.” 

You: “Wow, I don’t think about that enough. My mind tends to stop short at the elevator where I unload all the grain.”
God: “Say, didn’t you eat with your whole family tonight?”
You: “Why yes, yes I did. Meatloaf and potatoes again. We thanked you for it before we ate it! We did that right, right?”
God: “Haha, yes. I appreciate that. Because many people believe in evolution these days, they don’t stop to thank me as their creator and provider… Anyway, you do know that it’s a only a short season of life before your kids leave the nest? You should appreciate those family dinners together.”
You: “Yeah, I guess it won’t be long before they’ve all graduated. It’s such a short season in life.”
 
God: “What did you do after that?”
You: "Oh, we put our kids to bed."
God: “When you put your kids to bed, do you remember how your son told you about how he mustered up the courage to do the right thing at school today?”
You: “Yeah, I told him I was proud of him and loved him.”
God: “You can’t see this, but I can – forty years from now he’s going to remember that night like it was yesterday.”
You: “Really? I thought it was just another night of tucking the kids into bed? I had no idea it could be that big of a deal for him.”
God: “Remember that, because one of these nights – and I won’t tell you when – I’m going to use one of those Bible stories you share so faithfully to draw your son to a saving knowledge of Christ. You will get to lead your child to trust in me!”
You: “Wow! That would be such an answer to prayer! Such a joy!”
God: “Oh I know! I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in truth. It won’t just be another night of tucking kids in bed that night, will it?”
 
God: “Oh yeah, one more thing. You know how about a year ago you were really sick and laid up for a while?”
You: “Yes, how could I forget?”
God: “Yet you continued to trust in me and believe that I was good and in control of your circumstance?”
You: “Yes, I remember making it a point to trust you.”

God: “That was real Christlike by the way… Well, another church member is going through the same thing and because you faced your trial with faith and patience, they now have the courage to do the same thing.”
You: “Wow, I never dreamed I would be an example to someone like that. Thanks for letting me know this time.”
 
You: “Hey, before you go… Does this kind of stuff happen all the time?”
God: “Yes it does, but you don’t always see it or know it. That’s what Ecclesiastes means when it says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
You: “Right… and what it means to walk by faith and not by sight?”
God: “Exactly. However, when you discipline yourself to see every day as a gift, you’ll start to pick up on it more.”


In Christ with you,

Pastor Justin


*This devo was adapted from a message by Pastor Bryan Clark.