Let’s face it! It’s tough living consistent Christian lives day after day, week after week, year after year. But isn’t it true that most of our activities as Christians are comprised of routine affairs? It’s mostly in the routine that faithfulness is required. It’s ironic that when Paul summarize the Christian’s conduct, he related it to the ordinary activities of life: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). We all tend to let down our guard in the routine things of life, but it’s there, in the routine, that God is watching, and so are others!
Years ago John R. Mummau, then president of what is now Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was holding revival meetings hundreds of miles from his home. One night during the meetings a man in the audience came under powerful conviction of the Holy Spirit and had a very strong urge to respond to the gospel invitation when it was extended. But he held off.
The following morning the man under divine conviction drove hundreds of miles to Harrisonburg and began knocking on doors. His question to each was the same: “Do you know John a. Mummau?” “Well yes, he lives up the street; he’s our neighbor.” “But what can you tell me about John R. Mummau?” “Oh, he’s a fine Christian man, and a wonderful neighbor.” The answer at each house was basically the same .
Then the man drove back to his home community, fully satisfied that John R. Mummau was indeed genuine. That night when the invitation was extended at the close of the service, the man gladly went forward and gave his heart to the Lord.
A kind of spirituality can be seen on parade, but the kind of Christian living that God desires is cultivated and practiced consistently in the routine of life. God is watching us in the routine of daily living day after day, and so are others!