One of the known pressures that people in my department face is the need to frequently share exciting developments. I think it goes without saying that sharing exciting developments is a no-brainer. But what about the mundane responsibilities?
In fact, one of my recent struggles is the faithful balancing of the mundane responsibilities and the expectations of living out the convictions laid out before me. There are days when the mundane responsibilities take up the majority of my day and there are days when I need to recover from that full day of mundane responsibilities. Creating lessons plans, unit planners, and teaching English at a school and after-school academy doesn’t necessarily scream out “excitement” or “inspiration.” Maybe if misconstrued, sharing this information could open up the question of how I’m spending my time and if this lines up with my convictions. But the reason I’m sharing this is not to complain or to gain sympathy, but to share how a sentence in a manual encouraged me to change my perspective.
In reading through the first book of the chronicles, I was struck by 15:26. The ark is being brought into the city (in Dave’s 2nd attempt), and this time it is being carried by the Levites. The idea of carrying something doesn’t necessarily strike me as being exciting or inspiring. Even if you’re carrying something important (like the ark), it probably brings out more respect and concern so that you don’t make a mistake (case in point: Uzzah). But 15:26 struck me because it showed me that in the midst of carrying the ark that g was helping the Levites.
So naturally I’m asking the question: why is g helping with such a mundane responsibility? It makes sense that he would help out Joshua and Israel’s conquest. It makes sense that g would help David overcome Saul’s murderous attempts. It makes sense that g would help in events that hold tremendous implications.
But that’s when it clicked for me. During all this commotion of people moving around and celebrating the return of the ark (and rightfully so!), it is in this mundane act where his presence is found, assisting those who are directly involved. Every mundane responsibility is given by a sovereign g, but also a gracious g who will offer help and assistance. And if I desire to be in his presence every bit of my life, then I must learn to see His presence even in the mundane responsibilities of my life.