Holiness in the Ordinary

The Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22 CSB)

In my preteen years, I often danced around my bedroom with a hairbrush microphone in hand. Music blasted from my jam box. My bangs, sticky with hairspray, struggled to hold on to their tease as I tossed my head to the beat. My imagination transported me to the set of Kids Incorporated, the ’80s Disney show about a rock group comprised of kids. I knew if only the producers could catch a minute of my performance, they would want me on the show.

While I never made it to a Kids Incorporated audition, the concept of performing for approval became a part of me. Perfection became my goal—the gateway to something bigger than my ordinary life. I developed an equation for success that looks like a perfect performance + the attention of the right person = a big break. Good grades in school lead to a university scholarship. Impressive entries on a resume lead to job offers. Even now, I send words into the world with a tiny hope that they will lead to an important writing assignment.

I live by my equation in my spiritual life too. I perform for God under the misguided belief that I can earn a holy commission from him. Like a child, I jump hurdles and inwardly shout, “Look, Father! Now, don’t you want to give me something bigger to do?” My ordinary life feels small, much like my performance in my childhood bedroom. I’m ready to trade in my hairbrush for a real microphone.

Ordinary Is Enough

When John the Baptist dunked his cousin deep in the water, it marked Jesus’s transition from ordinary to extraordinary. John added to the tapestry of Old Testament prophecy when he said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16 CSB). The big moments of Jesus’s ministry were ahead of him—water to wine, dead to living, broken to whole. His greatest moment would come three years later when he saved the world through his death and resurrection. With all that greatness ahead of him, why didn’t God say, “This is my Son in whom I will be pleased”?

What did Jesus do prior to his baptism? Nothing worth writing about? Scripture is nearly silent about the thirty years between his birth and baptism, yet God is pleased. With what?

Jesus lived a holy life in the ordinary. I know he obeyed and honored his parents during his childhood. In his teen years, I’m convinced he didn’t roll his eyes when Mary asked him to take out the trash and that he turned in his homework on time and treated his friends the way he wanted to be treated. As he learned his trade by Joseph’s side, he surely showed up on time and maintained a good attitude. He made friends and attended family celebrations. Jesus chose to follow God’s way every day in everything.

Even though Jesus didn’t do anything spectacular by man’s standards, God was pleased with him. He lived a holy and righteous life before the world knew him as the Messiah.

I believe a lie when I think my ordinary days don’t matter, that God holds his applause for my major accomplishments. The truth is he is pleased with small acts of faithfulness—patience, kindness, service, encouragement. These seemingly monotonous days of being faithful in the small things prepare me for opportunities coming my way. But if nothing big ever comes my way, the Father still says, “Well done.” I don’t have to do big things to please God. He’s pleased with faithful living in my ordinary days.

Father, thank you for another day to honor you with my life. Help me to choose obedience in the small things. Remind me of your Word throughout the day. Let Jesus’s example guide me. I want to hear you say, “Well done.” Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

It’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing. (Ephesians 2:8–9 VOICE)

Reach for More

Each day holds multiple opportunities to follow God. Most of them are small, like choosing gratitude and showing kindness. These small acts of faithfulness add up to a lifestyle of holiness. Try beginning each day with a prayer of dedication like the one above.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man. They have three children. In the quiet minutes of her day, you will find her at the keyboard or curled up with a book–always with coffee. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.

Photograph © Freestocks, used with permission