Beauty in Monotony
It’s usually the new that gives us all a thrill. The excitement of what is to come and what could be. Just the though of it can get your heart and blood pumping. In a world where the new and shiny gets all of our attention — it’s counterculture to think about what we do have — when we’re busy thinking about what we don’t have and what we still want. Just the thought of that is exhausting and draining. The search for the new can be daunting when we aren’t taking the time to manage what we do have.
I want to see the beauty in the monotony. This season has surely been monotonous at times. It’s consisted of waking up, washing my face, getting into my loungewear (if that) and then connecting to a computer for the next eight hours of my work day.
It’s looked like disconnecting from work and then hopping on FaceTime and Zoom calls with friends. It’s looked like being used to not seeing people’s faces and adjusting to new rules. It’s looked like seeing division and conflict every where we turn.
We’ve all been talking about or meme’ing about the new year. We’ve all been yearning to flip the page.
My pastor spoke about managing the monotony a few months back and that’s stuck with me ever since. I love innovation. I love dreaming and creating the future — even if the unknown can make me anxious. But in this moment, in this season, right now — I want to be a good steward.
No matter what your life looks like. No matter how “much” or “little” you may feel like you have. God has called us to be good stewards. Our culture has taught us to be consumers — not good stewards. Our culture teaches us to focus on our own personal development over commitment.
But may I just remind you that commitment and consistency are attractive qualities that are becoming scarce in our developing world. Who’s doing Ted Talks about staying at the same job for 5 plus years? Who’s doing Ted Talks about letting “our yes be our yes” and "our no be our no?”
Finding the beauty in our everyday lives is a valuable character skill to develop. Apostle Peter said it best, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12, NIV)
What does this look like for you and I? It looks like valuing where God has called you and where He’s placed you. It looks like digging your heels in, growing roots, staying planted and committing to the purpose and community God has given you. This is no time to retreat, my friends. 2021 is an initiation to push in deeper. To say, “yes” to God — again and again.
That if God were to ask you day in and day out — you’d still be committed to be in love and in relationship with Him. Commitment creates history in our relationships. Even if monotony happens in all of our relationship at times. Of course, I invite you, to switch the script in the way you approach God if you feel it has become stale or dry. But more than that, I invite you to stay committed no matter what your relationship and life circumstances look like.
We don’t know what the future will bring. We don’t know what 2021 will look like. But within the monotony of life — God is ever present and ever faithful in all the details. We’ve gotta keep showing up despite the monotony we may be feeling. God doesn’t stop showing up in His love and His mercy for us. We don’t live by our feelings. We live by the convictions of who God says He is.
If you feel idle — that’s okay. God calls us to be still.
If you feel stuck — that’s okay. God says He won’t ever leave or forsake us — He’s with you in the middle.
If you feel like life is moving too fast or too hard — that’s okay. God says there’s a season for everything under the sun — this won’t last forever.
Find the beauty in the monotony.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8, NIV)
Let’s be found in the presence of God. Let’s be found committed — in the middle of His will. Let’s be found with a heart that pleases Him. Devoted — heart and soul.
Regardless of what our exterior world looks like. Let’s be found in Jesus.
Let us be found good and faithful servants — surrendered at His feet — in every season.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21)