Spurred on with a go-ahead two-run homer by Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran in the fifth inning, the American League bested the National League 5-3 on Tuesday night to win its 10th MLB All-Star Game in the last 11 matchups. Though last night's contest featured some highlight reel moments, much of the conversation in the aftermath continues to center around the event's lack of enthusiasm. Ratings have shown that there has been a decline in interest in the "Summer Classic" for the past few decades. There are numerous explanations for why fan interest is dwindling, but two stand out as the most compelling: a lack of meaning and the increasing monotony of matchups. Since there is minimal incentive, relatively speaking, for players to give their all to win the contest, the level of competition and effort regularly feels diminished, leading to a less entertaining and less compelling performance. And since the league has changed the schedule in recent years to include more interleague matchups during the regular season, there is no longer the intrigue that there once was in watching stars from opposing leagues battle each other. As a result, the MLB All-Star game can seem mundane as players go through the motions. When thinking about our lives as followers of Jesus, two of the biggest hindrances we can face in living a pleasing life to the Lord is feeling either a lack of meaning or a lingering monotony in our day-to-day activities. Let's face it: much of what we do daily is not glamorous and can seem mundane. From changing diapers to taking out the trash to completing the same tasks repeatedly at our jobs, much of our life can feel monotonous and lacking in meaning and purpose. However, one of the Bible's most significant and encouraging messages is that all of our activities, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, can have true meaning and purpose if done with the correct attitude and mindset. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT) says, "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before." Many believers incorrectly feel that living a life of purpose and meaning means accomplishing something extravagant in the world. Yet Paul made it very clear that it is possible to live a meaningful life that glorifies God even if you live a "quiet life" away from the spotlight. God is not as concerned about the number of earthly accomplishments we achieve as He is about our engagement in every activity to be faithful to Him and strive to bring Him honor and glory with our attitude, obedience, and diligence. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) states, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." When we embrace the reality that God sees even our most minor human acts and will one day reward even the seemingly most inconsequential tasks for His glory, it changes our perspective toward our "mundane" tasks. To give an example of what this may look like, let's conclude today's devotional by looking at a passage from Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey, where he provides a liturgy for someone engaging in changing a baby's diaper: "Heavenly Father, in such menial moments as this - the changing of a diaper - I would remember this truth: My unseen labors are not lost, for it is these repeated acts of small sacrifice that - like bright, ragged patches - are slowly being sewn into a quilt of lovingkindness that swaddles this child. "I am not just changing a diaper. By love and service, I am tending a budding heart that, rooted early in such grace-filled devotion, might one day be more readily inclined to bow to your compassionate conviction - knowing itself then as both a receptacle and a reservoir of heavenly grace. "So this little act of diapering - though in form sometimes felt as base drudgery – might be better described as one of ten thousand acts by which I am actively creating a culture of compassionate service and selfless love to shape the life of this family and this beloved child. “So take this unremarkable act of necessary service, O Christ, and in your economy, let it be multiplied into the greater outworking of worship and of faith, a true investment in the incremental advance of your kingdom across generations." I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me see how I can bring You glory in everything I do while on earth. Help me to remain steadfast and faithful even in moments that seem monotonous so that You will be honored. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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