[books i've been reading]

Craig Gross' little book seeks to demolish the idea that the Christian life is all about doing big things for God. He focuses on the ordinary and showing, through stories and scripture, how God sees the ordinary as sacred. It is in our ordinary, humdrum lives that God is at work. He writes a lot about what it means to serve others, showcasing how service isn't just about doing "big" things like being involved in soup kitchens, working in orphanages, or things of that matter. Service is something to be worked out in the ordinary, as well: serving our families, our friends, our co-workers, and our enemies. Here are a few quotes from the book (and a link to even more "potent quotables"):

"[There] are times and situations that call for something big and extraordinary. But those times are few. And we can't become so enamored with those times that we turn them into the be-all, end-all of our lives. If we try to live for the extraordinary, gigantic moments, we're putting our focus on the completely wrong things. Instead we must learn to treasure the ordinary in our lives. The day-in, day-out interactions we have with those around us. We must put our emphasis on developing the right hearts--hearts that are completely submitted and surrendered to Jesus--and then keeping our hearts focused solely on Him." (26)

"What if you're called to the Nine-to-Five Window? What if your missions opportunity is lying at your doorstep, at the office, at the stores you frequent, or in your own home? What if we need to rethink the notion of doing something big for God's kingdom? What if we're attaching the label of big to something that He finds unimportant or unimpressive? What if the ordinary, small things of life are what you're called for? How would you live your life then? Would you wither away in quest desperation, always looking for the next big thing, or would you step fully into whatever role God has called you to?" (52)

"[There] is a part of the gospel that we tend to get so wrong, when we believe we have to do something to earn God's acceptance, to stay in His good graces. That yeah, He accepted us when we were sinners, but now that we've come to know Jesus as our Lord, we have to get our act together or we'll upset God and really have to work hard to... what? Get back on His good side? Make Him like us again? Do we think Jesus only loved us when we were sinners because we didn't know any better, but now that we've been saved, we're off the hook? We have to hold up some end of the bargain? Jesus will never stop loving you. Jesus will always accept you. Does He care about the way you live your life? Absolutely. Does the way you live your life have any impact on His acceptance of you? Absolutely not." (102)

Go Small: Potent Quotables