Radically Mundane

I was recently looking through my journal when I happened upon this entry written at the end of my first month of living in China, concerning my expectations of what China-living would be, “I thought I would be struggling to survive at every turn. I thought I would only be living as I cried on the floor to the Lord in prayer.”

Bad expectation.

In coming here I discovered the opposite and I was greatly disappointed. I was disappointed in the other expats who didn’t live this way. I was disappointed with the nationals who weren’t aware of persecution in China. I was disappointed in the lack of radical living; the lack of a readiness to sell all and die for Jesus. (All according to my standards and judgment, of course.)

But I think the Lord brought me here, to a place of great comfort, (when I was expecting great discomfort,) to discover the reality that even life lived on the other side of the world requires the completing of mundane tasks. The same clothes must be washed, the same streets must be taken to the same work, and the same people must be loved with the same strength of the Holy Spirit.

This is the life most of us are called to live.

Here are some statements from George Muller’s autobiography,

“The Way of the Cross is an ordinary street in an ordinary city. It is an ordinary life lived in the grace of God.” (95)

“’Just think of the mercy of God that He allowed me to carry mops and toilet paper for His glory. […] Many must carry mops and toilet paper, but few get to do this for God’s glory.’” (100)

And may we do those ordinary tasks (even when living in great abundance and without the threat of persecutions,) all the more with a greater fullness of joy knowing that we are doing these things in, for, and through Him AND in light of the great stewardship of BLESSINGS He has bestowed upon us.