1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Reflection:
Last year at Thanksgiving, I wrote this in my journal: “The thing I’m most grateful for this year is normalcy. We’re not grieving a loss, there are no secrets, no skeletons; it’s just a plain Jane Thanksgiving. I think people (me more than anyone) scoff at normalcy when, in fact, it’s the biggest blessing. I’ve really been trying to soak in experiences, moments, emotions…to not just ride a wave but live in it and stop treating everything as a transition… On this day, I accept things for exactly what they are: normal. And while I know normal can’t last forever, I won’t waste a minute of today speculating whether the thing that tips the scale will be good or bad.”

Funny how quickly things can change! Never in my wildest dreams did I believe the definition of “normal” would be completely turned on its head in a matter of months and our world would never be the same. Perhaps it was an ominous foreshadowing, but I think the true explanation of such an eerily well-timed journal entry was not irony but insight.

In this season of life, I feel I have leaned into Christ’s calling for purpose in the day-to-day. Our lives as Christians are filled with incredible, powerful moments, side-by-side with excruciatingly painful moments. These episodes certainly impact us, but they don’t declare who we are. Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV) says,

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

God does not ask us to take up our swords when the orchestra starts playing…after all, life is not an action movie where the climax plays in slow motion. Instead, we are told to stand firm where we are — steadfastly working to further the Kingdom every single day. That is our “normal.” That is why our work is not in vain.

Closing Prayer:
Almighty God, you have chosen me to be your servant, and I am grateful. I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I know that I am working for your glory in the meantime. Help me to stay the course. Reveal unto me the mercies and magic of each new day — “normal” or otherwise — filling me with peace in the moment and hope for the future. Amen.