Because we don’t get to see each other often, my friends and I want to make the most of our time together. So we’ve spent considerable phone time recently planning memorable things to do during our visit. Unique restaurants, day trips to nearby cities, and good movies are all in the works.
But as fun as it will be to experience these special activities with my friends, they’re not what our relationships are built on. What really keeps us connected is regularly sharing the daily stuff of life—brownie recipes, yard work, decisions about which wet-dry vac to purchase, and of course, our jobs.
I’m learning that my relationship with God is much the same way. Sure, the times I spend with Him apart from my ordinary routine are enjoyable and important. But He also longs to be involved in the day-to-day stuff. Sadly, I often get so wrapped up in business-as-usual that I forget to invite Him into routine tasks. An exercise that my coworker Cynthia Bezek led our team through during a recent prayer time provided a concrete way for me to welcome God into ordinary days. Perhaps it will help you as well.
1. Write down three routine items on your do-list for today. I included things such as responding to emails and eating lunch.
2. Write three things on your do-list for the rest of the week. A couple more work tasks and some errands made my list.
3. Consider Prov. 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Are there ways you tend to “lean on your own understanding” in routine tasks? Confess those to God, and write down anything you sense Him saying to you about that tendency.
4. Ask the Lord what it might mean to acknowledge and trust Him in one or more of the tasks you’ve listed, again listening and writing down how you think He is responding.
5. Ask God to increase your desire to include Him more in the everyday concerns of life and work.
2. Write three things on your do-list for the rest of the week. A couple more work tasks and some errands made my list.
3. Consider Prov. 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Are there ways you tend to “lean on your own understanding” in routine tasks? Confess those to God, and write down anything you sense Him saying to you about that tendency.
4. Ask the Lord what it might mean to acknowledge and trust Him in one or more of the tasks you’ve listed, again listening and writing down how you think He is responding.
5. Ask God to increase your desire to include Him more in the everyday concerns of life and work.
The activity was simple but effective for me. I returned to my do-list with renewed awareness that God was working alongside me. Ever since, I’ve found myself pausing more often to invite Him into my tasks. Although I can’t always put my finger on how, I know it makes a difference.
Dianne Bundt/Editor/DJ Online News
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