“He is the devout man…who considers God in everything.” – William Law
Is Law talking about everything but not my job? Everything but not my treatment of servers at a restaurant? Is it everything but not that story I can’t wait to tell on someone I don’t like? Is it everything but not that area of service that my church needs help with? Is it everything but not that political fight that requires my attention, now! Is it everything but not that area of sin that I have fallen in love with? Is it everything but not that deal that has to get done? Is it everything but not that relationship with that neighbor with the loud motorcycle and blasted music?
I cannot have a devout life if the devotion I bring to Bible reading and prayer doesn’t also spill over into ordinary parts of my life.
Our dog, Henry, is incredibly motivated by food. Henry’s pursuit of food is constant and is not just reserved for the two times a day that he eats his dog food. He sniffs around the kitchen, he begs at the dinner table, he gets up on the table when we are not at home all because he wants to find some morsel or neglected food item. He is totally devoted to his pursuit of food. Am I totally devoted to my pursuit of God? Or do I channel my devotion in just certain ways and in compartmentalized activities?
We all need a desire for God to match our commitment to him at our most devoted times. This past Easter, you may have celebrated with all of your body the resurrected savior and that is appropriate and great but your Tuesday afternoon needs drops of that kind of commitment too.
Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” That sounds like a call for a savior that shapes our ways and habits, that adjusts our thinking and attitude, and transforms our existence. All of life is included in ‘the way, the truth, and the life.’
You may have come out of Easter, like me, with a slight let down because you sacrificed during Lent and worshipped with abandon but now you have your ordinary life to get back to and it doesn’t have the sense of urgency and aliveness that Easter did. Despite this, Jesus’ invitation could not be more clear. “I have come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” That is for now, for today, and for tomorrow.
Ask Jesus to infiltrate all aspects of your life and open yourself up to envision his life as part of your home, your family, your job, your personal encounters, your preparation on that homework, your leadership, and your decision making.
Consider God in everything.
Image: Biddende Man, Marc Henry Meunier
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