Finding God in Everyday Life and Work
Summary
Today, we are invited to see our everyday lives—our vocations, routines, and even the most mundane tasks—as sacred opportunities to encounter God and shine His light. Many of us grew up dreaming of being “history makers” in grand, visible ways, but God’s call is not limited to the extraordinary. Throughout Scripture, we see people called to a wide range of roles: from Moses leading a nation to Ruth faithfully caring for her family, from Lydia running a business to Lois and Eunice parenting Timothy. Each vocation, whether public or hidden, is a place where God’s presence can be experienced and His purposes fulfilled.
The story of Brother Lawrence, a humble monk who found God in the clatter of the kitchen and the quiet of the workshop, reminds us that constant awareness of God’s presence transforms the ordinary into the holy. He teaches us that every task, no matter how small or repetitive, can be an act of love for God. This is not about separating the spiritual from the ordinary, but about making our hearts a chapel where we meet God in every moment—whether we are making lunch boxes, doing laundry, or working at our jobs.
Practicing the presence of God begins with simply turning our attention to Him throughout the day. It can be as simple as pausing for a moment to recognize that God is with us, or praying as we go about our tasks. Many in our community shared how they bring God into their workplaces through prayer—before meetings, during commutes, or in the midst of stressful situations. This prayerful dependence is not just for the “spiritual” moments, but for every part of life.
We are also called to position our hearts rightly, doing everything without complaint and with love, allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our attitudes. Even the never-ending laundry can become an act of gratitude and worship. Finally, we are encouraged to give our best in all we do, knowing that our work itself is holy when done for God. Whether our tasks are seen or unseen, big or small, they hold eternal significance when offered in love.
Let us embrace our ordinary moments as opportunities to encounter God, to serve others, and to be history makers right where we are. In the quiet faithfulness of our daily lives, we write a legacy of love and faith that shines in the world.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Call Is Not Limited to the Extraordinary
God calls people to a wide variety of vocations, not just the visible or glamorous ones. Whether leading a nation or caring for a family, each role is a place where God’s purposes can be fulfilled. Our ordinary lives are just as significant to God as the extraordinary moments, and He delights in meeting us right where we are. [36:16]
- The Practice of God’s Presence Transforms the Ordinary
Brother Lawrence’s life demonstrates that constant awareness of God’s presence can turn even the most mundane tasks into acts of worship. By intentionally turning our thoughts to God throughout the day, we invite Him into every moment, making our hearts a chapel where we meet Him. This practice is life-changing and available to all, regardless of our circumstances. [41:08]
- Prayerful Dependence in Every Task
Bringing God into our daily routines is as simple as praying as we work, commute, or care for others. Many find that God speaks most clearly in the ordinary, not just in formal times of worship. Prayerful dependence transforms our work, infusing it with purpose and inviting God’s peace and guidance into every detail. [46:59]
- Positioning Our Hearts with Gratitude and Love
Our attitude in the ordinary matters deeply. Doing tasks without complaint and with gratitude—like laundry or making lunch—becomes a form of worship. The Holy Spirit shapes us as we posture our hearts to serve with humility, love, and joy, shining as lights in the world even in the most routine moments. [52:35]
- Giving Our Best as an Act of Worship
Whatever we do, we are called to work with all our hearts, as for the Lord. The work itself—whether cleaning, building, teaching, or caring—is holy when done in love and faithfulness. God values not the greatness of the task, but the love with which it is performed, and He transforms our weaknesses into strengths as we offer our best to Him. [57:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Preparing Our Hearts for God’s Word
[02:10] - Dreams of Being History Makers
[05:30] - Diverse Callings in Scripture
[08:00] - God’s Presence in the Ordinary
[10:15] - The Story of Brother Lawrence
[13:00] - Practicing the Presence of God
[16:00] - God in the Kitchen and Workshop
[19:00] - Turning to God in Everyday Life
[22:00] - Prayerful Dependence in Our Work
[25:00] - Positioning Our Hearts with Gratitude
[28:00] - Giving Our Best in All We Do
[31:00] - Being History Makers in the Everyday
[34:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: God in the Ordinary
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### Bible Reading
1. James 4:8
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
2. Philippians 2:14-15
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."
3. Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James 4:8, what is the promise given to those who draw near to God?
2. In Philippians 2:14-15, what attitude does Paul say we should have in our daily tasks, and what is the result of this attitude?
3. What does Colossians 3:23-24 say about the motivation behind our work?
4. In the sermon, what are some examples of “ordinary” tasks where people experienced God’s presence? ([38:06])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Bible connects our attitude (like not complaining) with shining as lights in the world? How does this relate to the way we live out our faith in daily life? ([52:35])
2. The sermon mentions Brother Lawrence’s idea of making our hearts a “chapel” where we meet God. What does this mean, and how might it change the way we view our routines? ([41:08])
3. How does prayerful dependence on God during ordinary tasks differ from only praying during “spiritual” moments? Why might God speak to us more in the ordinary? ([46:59])
4. The sermon says, “God values not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” What does this reveal about God’s priorities for our lives? ([43:12])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your own daily routines—making meals, commuting, working, or caring for family. What is one ordinary task where you could intentionally turn your attention to God this week? How might you do this practically? ([45:33])
2. The sermon encourages us to pray throughout our day, not just during set times. What is one way you could remind yourself to pray or be aware of God’s presence during your work or chores? (For example, setting a timer, or linking prayer to a routine activity.) ([45:33])
3. Is there a task in your life that you often do with a complaining or negative attitude? What would it look like to do this task with gratitude and love instead? ([52:35])
4. The sermon shared stories of people inviting God into their workplaces through prayer before meetings or during stressful moments. What is one specific situation at work or home where you could try this practice? ([49:39])
5. Brother Lawrence found God in the kitchen and the workshop. Where is your “kitchen” or “workshop”—the place you spend a lot of time in ordinary tasks? How can you make that space a place of worship? ([42:07])
6. The sermon asks, “What kind of history are you writing with your attitude as you face your mundane?” What kind of legacy do you want to leave in the small, unseen moments of your life? ([59:17])
7. The message challenges us to give our best in all we do, as an act of worship. Is there an area where you know you have not been giving your best? What is one step you can take this week to offer your work to God wholeheartedly? ([57:08])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God to help each person encounter Him in their ordinary moments this week and to shine His light wherever they are.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Presence in the Ordinary
God is not only present in our mountaintop experiences or during times of worship, but He is with us in every moment of our daily lives—whether we are making lunch boxes, doing laundry, or working at our jobs. When we cultivate a constant awareness of His presence, even the most mundane tasks become opportunities to encounter Him and experience His peace. Like Brother Lawrence, we can learn to possess God in the midst of busyness and chaos, making our hearts a chapel where we always meet Him. [41:08]
James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Reflection: What is one ordinary task you will do today where you can intentionally pause and become aware of God’s presence with you in that moment?
Day 2: Prayerful Dependence in Every Task
Prayer is not reserved for church or quiet times; it is a steady hum of communication with God throughout our day. Whether we are driving, working, or caring for others, we can turn our thoughts to God, asking for His strength, guidance, and peace. This prayerful dependence transforms our ordinary routines into holy moments, and God delights in meeting us right where we are, even in the smallest details of our lives. [46:59]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one repetitive or challenging part of your daily routine where you can begin to invite God’s help and presence through short, honest prayers?
Day 3: Positioning Our Hearts with Gratitude and Love
Our attitude in the ordinary matters deeply to God. When we choose to do everything without complaining or arguing, and instead act with gratitude and love, we shine as bright lights in a world that often grumbles and complains. Even laundry and other daily chores can become acts of worship when done with a thankful heart, and the Holy Spirit can shape our attitudes to reflect Christ’s love and humility in every situation. [54:48]
Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Reflection: Think of a task or relationship that often tempts you to complain—how can you approach it today with gratitude and a Christ-like attitude?
Day 4: Giving Your Best as Service to God
Whatever our vocation or daily responsibilities, we are called to give our best, working wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord Himself. The work itself—whether seen or unseen, grand or humble—is holy when done for God’s glory. God values not the greatness of the work, but the love and faithfulness with which it is performed, and He can transform even our weaknesses into strengths as we rely on Him. [57:08]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Reflection: In what area of your work or daily life do you sense God calling you to give your best effort as an act of worship to Him?
Day 5: Being a History Maker in the Everyday
Being a history maker for God is not about grand gestures or public recognition, but about the consistent, quiet acts of love, faithfulness, and turning our hearts toward God in the midst of our ordinary routines. Each small, unseen moment holds eternal significance when done for Him, and our legacy is built in the way we love, serve, and shine His light right where He has placed us. [59:17]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Reflection: What is one small, faithful act you can do today in your home, workplace, or community to shine God’s light and leave a legacy of love?
Quotes
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