Growing up, every day brimmed with potential and adventure seemed just around the corner. As adults, we’ve discovered that life isn’t always a series of peak experiences; often, it’s filled with everyday tasks that can feel overwhelmingly mundane. Amidst the routines of laundry, commutes, and endless errands, the extraordinary seems elusive, and it’s easy to believe that others are living the vibrant lives we dream about.
In their song “Come Away,” Jesus Culture encapsulates a divine invitation: “Come away with me. It’s going to be wild. It’s going to be great.” Yet, for many, the reality feels far from this promise. How can life feel wild when it’s filled with the monotony of daily chores and responsibilities?
This dissonance between the life we live and the life we feel we’re promised can lead to disillusionment. However, it also presents an opportunity to shift our perspective and see the divine in the daily grind.
Eyes to See the Divine in Daily Life
Jesus talked about the blindness of those who couldn’t see the kingdom of God unfolding before them. His disciples, too, struggled with this, expecting a Messiah of earthly power rather than one who came to serve and sacrifice. This same tension exists in our lives: we anticipate grand adventures and visible signs of God’s work, yet we overlook His presence in our ordinary moments.
To truly live in the wild, abundant life Jesus promises, we need to cultivate eyes that see His hand at work every day, not just in extraordinary moments. This perspective shift can transform our understanding of what it means to live a life of faith and excitement.
Practical Steps to Embrace the Everyday Extraordinary
- Understanding True Greatness: In God’s kingdom, greatness isn’t about status or success but humility and service. When we understand that true significance comes from serving others and living out our faith authentically, even the most mundane activities can be infused with divine purpose.
- Valuing the Ordinary: Significant spiritual growth often happens in routine moments. By practicing gratitude and finding contentment in our daily tasks, we learn to see how ordinary activities are filled with opportunities to connect with God and others in meaningful ways.
- Eliminating Distractions: Modern life is full of distractions that can prevent us from seeing God’s work in our lives. By consciously reducing time spent on social media, television, or other digital distractions, we can free up mental and spiritual space to engage more deeply with the real world and the people in it.
- Active Participation: Unlike the bystanders in the Gospels who watched Jesus from a distance, we are called to be active participants in God’s work. This might mean volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply being more present and engaged with our families. By getting involved, we not only see God’s kingdom at work but become conduits of His love and grace.
- Focusing on the Eternal: By shifting our focus from the temporal to the eternal, we can find deeper meaning in everyday life. This doesn’t mean neglecting our earthly responsibilities but understanding them as part of a larger, divine narrative.
Conclusion
Life’s ordinary moments need not be a barrier to experiencing the fullness of life Christ offers. By adjusting our perspective and embracing the opportunities for growth and service that each day presents, we can discover the wild, wonderful life God has in store for us. It’s not about escaping the routine but finding the hidden threads of glory woven throughout it. Whether we’re called to adventures across the globe or to faithfulness in our current circumstances, the call to “come away” is a call to live fully, right where we are.
