Embracing the Ordinary: Finding Meaning in Every Day
In our fast-paced, highlight-driven culture, it’s easy to feel that only the exciting and dramatic moments matter. Yet, what if the ordinary parts of life are where God is truly at work? This is the central idea in Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren—a book I read recently while on a much-needed family vacation. Her words have stayed with me, and I believe they hold a message for all of us.
Alfred Hitchcock once said, "Movies are life with the dull bits cut out." That’s how we often approach our faith. We want a Christian life where the mundane is skipped over, filled only with highlights. But what if the “boring” moments of life actually matter to God? What if they are part of the abundant life He offers us?
A Story from Acts: God in the Ordinary
One story from the Book of Acts illustrates this perfectly. It's not one of the dramatic conversion stories we tend to focus on, like Paul’s blinding on the road to Damascus or the miraculous earthquake that led to the conversion of the Philippian jailer. This story, found in Acts 16:11-15, is about Lydia, a businesswoman from Philippi.
On an ordinary day, Paul and his companions did something extraordinary—they simply went outside the city gate, sat down by the river, and had a conversation with a group of women. One of them was Lydia, a "worshiper of God." There were no miracles, no visions, and no angels. Just a conversation. Yet God used this seemingly mundane moment to transform Lydia's life. She and her entire household were baptized, and her home became a center for the early church.
Three Ordinary Actions
This passage from Acts highlights three simple actions that Paul and his companions took, actions that we can imitate today:
They Went Out – Paul and his team didn’t wait for people to come to them. They went out of the city gate to where people were. In a culture that often allows us to stay comfortably at home, we must be intentional about going out and engaging with those around us.
They Sat Down – Paul sat down with a group of women who were very different from him. He wasn’t above them or unwilling to engage. He met them where they were, in both a literal and relational sense.
They Spoke – Paul didn’t launch into a sermon or try to impress with theological jargon. He had a conversation, sharing the hope of Jesus in a way that was relatable and meaningful.
Conversations That Lead to Transformation
The key takeaway from this story is that God works through our everyday interactions. We don’t need dramatic signs to share the gospel. Sometimes, all it takes is going out, sitting down, and having a conversation. In our technology-driven world, we often miss these opportunities. We are so absorbed in our phones that we forget to look up and engage with the people around us.
Like Paul, we are called to be seekers, to go out of our comfort zones and engage in conversations that could lead to transformation. The Holy Spirit does the work of conversion, but we are the vessels through which that work can begin.
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
So, what does this mean for us today? It means that we can find meaning in the ordinary moments of life. Whether we’re at the grocery store, at work, or even at home with our families, God is present. He is working in and through us. Our challenge is to be aware of these moments and make the most of them.
As we go about our day, let’s remember that the ordinary can be extraordinary when we allow God to use it. Let’s be intentional about going out, sitting down, and having conversations that point people to Jesus. You never know when an everyday moment might change someone’s life forever.
Based on Clay Hining’s sermon given October 20, 2024