Nothing beats the exhilaration of being used by God in extraordinary ways. The thrill of going to places where that Gospel was unknown and witnessing lives turn from darkness to light has been incomparably faith-boosting to me. While all of us are called to be Christ's witnesses, most of our lives, whether on the mission field or at home, are consumed with mundane chores, meeting every-day needs: washing clothes, wiping snotty noses, preparing food, helping with the homework - and tomorrow we get up and do it all over again.
The recognition from fellow believers that accompanies "doing something special for God" led me to believe that God is more pleased with me if I present a Bible to a nomadic clan in Turkey, or share the Gospel with Muslim girls in Central Asia, than if I live an ordinary life at home. If that were true, Paul would not have called believers to "aspire to live quietly , and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands." (1 Thess. 4:11) Paul underscores this again when he calls older women to "teach younger women to be keepers of the home." (Titus 2:5) He also recommends that the church support widows, whose lives are marked by a steadiness and faithfulness in everyday situations, namely child-rearing, hospitality and every good work (1 Tim. 5:10).
When my husband and I were part of a church-planting team in Berlin, Germany, every team member, at one time or another had what we called a "KLM-day". This meant that that we had come to the point when staying was so hard, we wanted to get on a KLM plane and fly home. What kept us going was not the obligation to a missions organization, but an obedience to God, trusting that He had put us right where He wanted us to be.
Even in my own home I have "KLM-days" sometimes. I get tired of having little time for myself, and feeling like I am constantly working to meet others' needs. What keeps me going is not only an obligation to my family, but an obedience to God who has put me right where He wants me to be.
Believing that God finds pleasure in our quiet lives enables us to see the daily work He has set before us as good, worthwhile and glorifying to Him. It means resting in the fact that God enjoys being with us in our everyday tasks and gives us the strength and joy to do what He has called us to do. Finding significance in our daily lives is all about recognizing this as part of our calling. Meeting God in the mundane can transform any chore into a worship experience.
