When Life Feels Mundane: Faithfulness in the Everyday

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him”

(2 Corinthians 5:9).

Life often feels mundane. Boring. Insignificant. It can feel like nothing exciting is around the corner. Every day feels the same. We wake up at the same time, leave for work at the same time, go home at the same time, and eat dinner at the same time. We’re bored with life even though we’ve filled our schedules to the brim. And, if we are honest, we romanticize being somewhere else or someone else.

The Heart Issue

The root of this issue is discontentment. We are no different than the Israelites who, when finally freed from their slavery in Egypt, complained that God’s provision was not enough for them. Later, they observed the pagan nations around them and desired a king to rule over them – they rejected God as king in an attempt to be like their unbelieving neighbors. Through this desire, they spit in the face of God, who had always been faithful despite their disobedience. God was not enough for them.

When we choose discontentment amid God’s provision in our lives through a church, a job, or a place to live (whatever that provision may be), what does that say about our attitude toward God? Is his provision enough?

The question becomes, “Is God enough for me right now, right where I am?”

God calls us to faithfulness despite our discontentment.

And, as we will see, faithfulness breeds contentment.

The Aim of Our Lives

The verse quoted above (2 Corinthians 5:9) is very clear that no matter the season of life – thrills or none – it should be our goal, motivation, and joy, to pursue a life pleasing to God. This is a call to faithfulness.

In his book Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper reminds us of the importance of pursuing life for the glory of God.

“Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don’t coast through life without a passion.”

This passion, I would argue, should be the glory of God and faithfulness where God has planted us. Whether that faithfulness looks like being a stay-at-home mother, a missionary to China, working a 9-5 job, being a faithful member of a local church, or having a “big name” in the Christian publishing world, all should be done to the pleasure of God.

For The Glory of God

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

This is the Christian’s theology of life – doing all things, the mundane things, the day-in-day-out grind, to the glory of God. This removes discontentment and replaces it with contentment and joy in doing all things for his glory alone – not our own glory. He is up front and center. We take a back seat and let him do with us as he will.

So, when life feels mundane, and you’re bored with life, redirect your focus to God’s faithful care over your life, his provisions that come from his grace and mercy toward you, and strive to do all things for his glory. This is where we find joy when life feels mundane - not through a vacation, a new gadget, a new church, a new car-but through pursuing the glory of God.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3)

Brittany Proffitt lives in Dallas and is a writer and content manager for So We Speak.