the Touchstone of Character

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self‑control; and to self‑control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Peter1:4-8

I may have written about this before but I don't care, I feel like doing it again. :o) Drudgery to me is attacking the laundry of 8 people and a dog on a Monday morning facing a week of a long to-do list and food of the floor from last nights rushed dinner before church.

I was offered encouragement this morning and thought maybe writing it out would cement it in my heart and head and possibly offer you encouragement as well!

From my favorite book besides the Bible, Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest Journal

June 15th
In the mattery of Drudery...You have inherited the Divine nature says Peter(.v4), now scrw your attention down and form habits, give diligence, conentrate. "Add"means all that character means. No man is born either naturally or supernaturally with character, he has to make character.

Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits on the basis of new life God has put into us. We are not meant to be illuminated versions, but the common stuff of ordinary life exhibiting the marvel fo the grace of God.

Drudgery is the touchstone of character.

The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we look for the big things to do. "Jesus took a towel...and began to wash the disciples' feet."

There are times when there is no illumination and no thrill, but just the daily round, the common task. Routine is God's way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God.

It is in the "adding" that is difficult. We say we do not expect God to carry us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as though we did! The tiniest detail in which I obey has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If I do my duty, not for duty's sake, but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience the whole sperb grace of God is mine through the Atonement.