Core scripture: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Message: Some of my students wear those shirts that say “Eat, Game, Repeat.”  It makes me wonder … what would my shirt say? 

My day is chalk full of mundane tasks to complete.  Feeding the dogs … getting ice in my water … greeting students at the door … teaching the same lesson five times a day … feeding my boys … cleaning dishes … doing laundry. 

Sometimes it feels like I am just going through the motions.  Same old, same old.

Yesterday, I read a devotion from a friend of mine, Zac Bauermaster, from his book Leading With a Humble Heart.  I wrestled with his question at the end that asked how we could invite or recognize God into those “little moments” throughout our day?   What a great question!

I have to admit it was on my heart for the first half of the day.  Then, like many other days, sometime after lunch, it went away.  Everything became routine again.  That frustrated me.  The last half of my day was not as fulfilling. 

Where did I go wrong?  In reflection, I feel like I switched from savoring each moment to treating each moment as a duty.  God knows our hearts.  What if we asked Him to open our eyes to those little moments where we can live out His will?

Zac quoted Paul Tripp in his devotion, saying, “You see, the character of a life is not set in two or three dramatic moments, but in 10,000 little moments.  The character that was formed in those little moments is what shapes how you respond to the big moments of life” (Tripp, 2013). 

I love that!  The character I show in the small things is what shapes the big things.  Pretty simple, right?  Let’s explore that thought.  How can we as Christian teachers live that out?

• Smile.
• Say hello to people.
• Give compliments.
• Pick up trash you see in the hallways.
• Pray at checkpoints throughout your day.
• Ask questions beyond the ordinary. 
• Give advice.
• Pick up trash in your classroom.
• Get out from behind your desk.
• Build relationships.
• Play Christian music.
• Give a high five or fist bump.
• Write an encouraging note to someone.
• Tell an absent student, “We missed you yesterday!”
• Teach character.
• Make an effort to visit a colleague’s classroom you haven’t talked to in a while.
• Ask how you can pray for them.
• Be patient.
• Listen.

These days can get long and ordinary into November and December.  Routine sets in, but you can still live with purpose.  James 4:14 says, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”  Don’t let today vanish away.

Make God the master of your mundane. 

Challenge: Make your own list of how you can live intentionally throughout your day.  Take that list and live it out. 

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for the moments He gives you to be Christ to others.
• Pray that you will not take days for granted and that you will teach with intentionality. 

Song application: “The Motions” by Matthew West

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all-consuming passion inside of me

I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions?

Just for fun: This question was asked by a young man yesterday in my classroom: “Hey, Mr. Daniels, is Thanksgiving over Thanksgiving Break?”  And I thought there was no such thing as a stupid question. 

Prayer: God, help me see You at work, even in the mundane tasks throughout my day.  Amen.