Life is lived in the ordinary, yet we remember the extraordinary.

1 Samuel 7:15-17

¹⁵ Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. ¹⁶ From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. ¹⁷ But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the Lord.

The big decisions that we make in life never occur in isolation but are the result of countless small decisions that lead to the big ones. Samuel plays a key part in many extraordinary decisions in the life of Israel. What we see in the context of this passage are extraordinary decisions to repent and follow God. God, leads his people to victory and grants them peace.  What I find remarkable about this little section in 1 Samuel 7:15-17, is that it gives us a glimpse of Samuels ordinary life. He had regular work and he was faithful and persistent in this work. This is the part of Samuels life you wouldn’t really find in the highlight-reel, and most of us glaze over as we finish the action-packed part of the chapter.

These two little verses act as a great reminder that life goes on after all the action. It also reminds us that it might not be as interesting for us to read, but it’s where all of us find ourselves. Samuel had many extraordinary events happen throughout his life that we love reading about and sometimes I can read through these narratives and feel like I am missing out because my life should be more exciting living for God. Seeing so much action in someone’s life I find it easy to question ‘should I be doing something radical?’ Which leads to the next question ‘How can I be more radical.’ I answered this by being an overseas missionary I thought this was a ‘radical move’ but after the big decision to move countries, life was once again lived in the small everyday moments, made up of the small decisions of trying to be faithful in loving God and loving my Neighbour, the main difference was my address.

We need to understand as Christians, we have been radically saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But the process of sanctification is largely found in the small decisions we make on a daily basis choosing to be more like Jesus. These decisions will probably not be the most exciting things to read or write about but, it is through these small decisions that we grow more like Jesus.

Head: Part of Samuels role was to lead the people in sanctification, what have you found helpful in your Christian life that has helped you grow in sanctification?

Heart: What are the small decisions that you make on a daily basis to be more like Jesus?

Hands: Try to encourage someone this week by asking them how they are growing in their faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you care about every moment in my life, not just the big things, but also the small things. Please help me to grow more like Jesus, help me to preserve in the small everyday decisions that I would reflect you in all that I do. Help me to grow more like Jesus and help me to help others grow in Jesus too.

A song to listen to: This Life I Live

Ben Harvey- Adelaide Presbyterian Church