I love that word. It sounds so beautiful rolling off the tongue, when in fact it is an adjective that means ordinary, common, mundane. When I am knee deep in laundry, placed on hold or stuck in traffic, I remember that I am doing something “quotidian” and I feel better about it. The adjective bestows an elevated status to something considered drudgery.
Paul’s letter to Timothy is one that addresses the normal day to day issues of the newly formed Christian community: how parents and children are to behave, the roles of men and women, community structure, etc. He addresses community life complete with slackers, gossips and busybodies. And then he brings life together into a whole new light;
“I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time–he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the king of king and Lord of lords. It is he alone who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:14-16.
These verses seemed to sing within me throughout today: once while vacuuming, another time while on the phone with a bureaucrat who didn’t want to be bothered by me, in a church related meeting. The ordinary, even the annoying stuff of life is transformed by the supernatural. The God whom I have such a meager understanding of, values the “little” stuff of life. His glory casts a whole new light onto my humanity. He bestows beauty to the dull and unappreciated corners of my life. Paul’s words chase away shadows of apathy and complacency. All of life, submitted to God, speaks of his sovereignty and grace.
Lord Jesus, May I hear you speak through the quotidian. Bring your meaning and value to all that I do today. Do not allow me to forget that it even my very breath is a gift from you. Amen
klueh
Sixty-six books in a year 