"Oh Bother" is not an original sigh from me!
If you remember Winnie the Pooh, he used this phrase when he’d gotten into a messy situation. I’m not using it for any messy situation I’m in but, I will say, it’s what I often feel or say when I’m in the mundane of life. You know that space or moment in time when life seems long and mundane or dull? For sure my life isn’t dull right now, but I have those moments when I’m doing the 9 to 5 or at home and the house is all clean and I’m having a sit-down quiet moment. That’s when those 'Oh Bother' moments hit! Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and there’s plenty I can do at home after the house is all cleaned; but those 'Oh Bother' moments are real! I’m finding out when those moments hit that I have to get my focus back on track. I must be all 'in the moment' because that’s when the enemy of our souls lurks for an opportunity to bring in discontentment, boredom, a wandering mind and so many other things that can bring you down or lead you down a dark hole.
Here is a quote taken from Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest” (Oct. 21). He says:
“We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises – human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God – but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people – and this is not learned in one hour.”
I love Chambers' comment, “We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life”! It’s in the mundane that we press to be focused on our godly walk with our Lord. During those times and other times when no one is watching, are the times of being alert and aware of the enemy and his tricks to get us off track. I’ve learned that it’s with a fixed purpose of heart and mind that I have to live on purpose with and in Christ. Living intentional in our Christian walk from moment to moment takes time but, practiced consistently, it can become as natural as breathing.
The Lord didn’t promise that this life would be easy, but He has become our salvation. That means He is our deliverer. He is our hope, strength and so many other delicious gems written in Scripture. We are His children and he has made it possible for us to overcome in this life. These gems are promises and they can cause us to live life more abundantly in Him if we believe and practice them. It is so important to keep in mind 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” On our Christian journey, we will get tired and at times very weary, but we ask God for strength to continue moving forward. When you’re in a mundane moment, be quick to notice what’s happening and refocus and know that your heavenly Father is right there with you. We have to take action immediately! He’s with us in the active motions of our lives as well as the quiet and sometimes dull moments too! Let’s daily commit our hearts and minds to Christ and pray that He helps us to set our affections on things above. Pull yourself out of the dull, lull moments and be energized by God's presence and His word!
A light for your path...
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Cor. 2:14 NASB
I’m encouraged by this thank you
Powerful word, love it ❤️
I am going to try to embrace the idea of being extraordinary in the ordinary! What a powerful image!!!
Thanks for sharing it was much needed
I really needed this, God is always there for us.