Confessions of a Reluctant Plodder

plod (v)
1. to move or walk heavily or laboriously; trudge:
2. To work or act perseveringly or monotonously; drudge 

I recently made the comment that God must think I have a huge need in the area of persevering faithfulness because he gave me both a plodding husband and a plodding church.

And I am not always happy about it.

Plodding is so…well,  mundane,  monotonous…and unremarkable.

How can the likes of a plodder represent God’s design for anything?!
After all, He is the one that made the majestic mountains, the oriole’s melodic song, the birth of a baby, and the decadent smell of freshly-popped popcorn (You’d have to taste my husband’s popcorn to understand how appropriate that this last phrase be included with the other three!).

Though I often chafe at its difficulty for me, the grand (and accurate!) realities named above need very much the balance of the normal and common…and the ballast of everyday, unremarkable faithfulness.

I remind myself of the following truths:

1. Plodding is the uniform (“work outfit”) of daily faithfulness. Reality is lived in the mundane, and it is here that true character is revealed.

2. The backdrop of plodding gives contrast to the wonder of special delights. Do we not most enjoy the sunrise because we know the struggle of a dark, long night?

3. The ballast of plodding enables people, and programs, and ministry, and family, and all the other good things we could name to happen. If it weren’t for the deacon who arrives early to unlock the doors, the woman who shopped and baked and served so we could be fed, the husband who took out the garbage before it spilled over….well, there wouldn’t be many inspiring, beautiful moments to be had. (We’d all be running to the store for toilet paper…).

4. The discipline of plodding purifies the soul. Here, sin is often revealed in the lackluster call of duty. Pride is rooted out as others' applause or notice is absent. Selfishness is disclosed as camaraderie and the ‘rah rah’ of the crowd is missing. Only the purest of motives sustains a plodder, and only then through God’s grace.

Does this mean that “pep talks” and beautiful, inspiring sermons, and romantic get-a-ways, and persuasive winsome poetry, or music that plucks your heart strings is….well unnecessary? (i.e., “Why do we need that, you lightweight numbskull, just keep on plodding!” )

When Song of Solomon is translated into a formulaic, Roman numeral outline on marital copulation, I’ll give that some thought.

Until then, I’ll offer my personal quest for the extraordinary, winsome, spectacular  and amazing on the altar of sacrificial plodding. Because both are necessary to live out the wonder of the gospel.

Plod with me, will you? In this beautiful dance of faithfulness.