My Utmost for His Highest - June 15th - Get A Move On

In the Matter of Drudgery. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; - 2 Peter 1:5

    You have inherited the Divine nature, says Peter (v.4), now screw your attention down and form habits, give diligence, concentrate. “Add” means all that character means. No man is born either naturally or supernaturally with character; he has to make character. Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits on the basis of the new life God has put into us. We are not meant to be illuminated versions, but the common stuff of ordinary life exhibiting the marvel of the grace of God. Drudgery is the touchstone of character. The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. “Jesus…took a towel,…and began to wash the disciples’ feet. (see John 13:1-17)”

    There are times when there is no illumination and no thrill, but just the daily round, the common task. Routine is God’s way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God.

    It is the “adding” that is difficult. We say we do not expect God to carry us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as if we did! The tiniest detail in which I obey has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If I do my duty, not for duty’s sake, but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience the whole superb grace of God is mine through the Atonement.

Mom's Notes - Elizabeth and Mike's Anniversary

 - From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition

My thoughts

Chambers continues now to speak of forming habits. We are not to be passive in our faith walk with God, but diligent. And another reminder that it is in the little things that we really flourish, so don't feel the need to find something big to do for God. Like this time in the Word each day. Nothing big about it, but we need to remain consistent in it, day by day.