I’ve been re-reading The Screwtape Letters, and I’m once again struck by Lewis’ insight into the human condition. In one of the early letters, the demon Screwtape encourages his nephew on the effectiveness of the ordinary to draw people away from God.
The ordinary has certainly been persistent in knocking at my door lately.
Over the last couple weeks, the Lord began to show me that it’s high time I start building quiet time with Him into my daily routine again. It’s a truth I’ve known and even acknowledged openly for months. But the change hasn’t been there. Until finally, I committed to waking up earlier than my kids to have time with just the Creator.
But as with any move into enemy territory, Satan fights back.
Just to wake up–and stay awake–an hour earlier feels like taking on an army alone. On the days I’ve managed by God’s grace to have a few minutes of quiet time, I notice the difference. I’m more patient with my kids, more joyful at my daily tasks, and more thankful for the life I’ve been given. So of course the enemy will swing back harder.
A disobedient dog, a defiant toddler, potty training mishaps, a needy baby, an awful neck pain, husband out of town for the weekend–as I write this post I’m feeling very bombarded by flaming darts. And if that weren’t enough, the false god of Comparison has been keeping me pretty busy.
The ordinary has a way of beating us down if we let it. We could lose ourselves in daily tasks and the hard labor of loving others. Even when done for the right reasons, those things can pull us away from our true purpose: to honor God and bring Him glory.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t deal with everyday life. But when we let it get in the way of serving the Lord, then it’s time to shut the door for a little while. Those tasks will still be there when we come back. And when we do answer, we may have a more hospitable attitude.