Ordinary Time comes to its end in November. Now, I know some of you will be glad for this. First, you are ready to move on because you feel like you’ve been stuck in Ordinary Time. Second, you’re just plain tired of hearing me talk about it. That’s fine – I understand. Anytime us humans spend too long in one place; we start to get antsy about what comes next. I blame that on our fallen nature, coupled with the world’s ever-increasing talents at providing distractions in our most ordinary times. 

However, I will be a little sad (as I am every year) to depart from Ordinary Time. I enjoy the long season to dive deep into a season of my sanctification journey. I get to wander near and far as well as chasing any rabbit hole that comes to mind with plenty of time to get back on track. In other words, I can travel around simply to see what I can see. 

Plus, Ordinary Time 2022 has not been the easiest journey, but God has certainly proven [again] that He goes with me on my sanctification journey. I have seen God’s provision for my family, and He’s guided me through some changes to my writing. Comfort, too, abounds on my sanctification journey through many trials. I absolutely, then, want to linger in this season. 

So, there’s a tension here, right? Many folks want Ordinary Time to end because they are ready to move into the next season of their sanctification journeys, while some others [like me] would like to linger in this season. 

Really though, is this not the same tension that you and I feel when we come to any ending on our sanctification journeys? If we face the end with excitement to see the current season pass, we are ready to move on. We desire simply to see what’s next and to forget about what’s behind. On the other hand, if we’ve been through a strong season of obvious growth on our sanctification journeys, we want to linger in that season to celebrate the blessings so far and see more of them in this place. 

Well, this tension between moving or lingering looks like my connection for this reflection to end Ordinary Time on our sanctification journeys. How might God use this tension as guidance for your sanctification journey and mine? 

I assure you that I have no idea how to answer that question, so let’s look around. May God reveal His instruction as we explore this tension by His grace as we go with God.

Picture from Ordinary Life

The other day, my wife took the kids to visit their grandparents in Georgia. I had the whole house to myself for three days. Now, it may surprise you that I did not throw a big party, nor did I host a get-together for the Alabama game. Instead, a couple friends [literally 2 friends] came over the first night, and I spent the rest of the time in retreat, which gave me time to pray, do some chores, and write. The weekend was a fantastic time for renewal on my sanctification journey.

Now, if you’re not familiar with the idea of retreat, permit me to pause a moment for some background. I highly – to an exponential level of highly – recommend retreat time. The idea is that you take some specific time away from your responsibilities, the noises around your sanctification journey, and take some intentional alone time with God. Don’ like alone time? That’s cool. Many places, like the Casa Maria Retreat House [https://sisterservants.org/schedule.php] have group retreats. 

Back in the day, I found retreats while attending the University of Loyola New Orleans where I attended several silent retreats which were marvelous. Then, I moved to the University of Alabama and joined the retreat team there, so I was part of leading retreats for undergraduate students. Again, I’m a big fan, and I think you should take one as soon as possible. 

As for my retreat weekend this year, the time for intentional moments with God as I prayed, chored, and wrote was [as predicted] delightful. I connected with God as He highlighted some recent events. His insight gave me a new perspective on those events on my sanctification journey. Plus, I completed a laundry list of chores long neglected, and I even finished a story [You can read it here.] during that time. 

Then, that Sunday’s sunset delivered a message: “We’re coming home.” 

At that moment, the tension from the opening section is present to me at the same time, right? I could linger in that moment of retreat for as many days as God would allow, but I’m excited to move on because I get to welcome back my wife and children. I get to hear their stories and return to serving them. I recognize both the desire to linger and the one to move on, so the tension is real. 

As I seek God’s lesson for my sanctification journey here, I’m reminded of my general encouragement to every reader on this website: Take a moment in God’s presence then go with God into the rest of your sanctification journey. So, maybe that’s the advice I should give myself in this tension? 

I took a solid moment [maybe even several moments] in God’s presence, so the time has come to go with God into my sanctification journey. After all, there are no more ordinary moments on my sanctification journey than those with my family. I can be grateful for the moments with God in retreat and move faithfully into my going with God. 

Also, I should pick up the lesson of God going with me into my sanctification journey as Ordinary Time ends. God goes with us = Ordinary Time’s lesson, so now looks like the time to practice learning that lesson. 

Faithful Connection

But am I on the right track here? How might I discern with greater confidence that the lesson is to go with God into the ordinary moments of my sanctification journey?

While I look for encouragement or challenge to that lesson, I recall a reading from Exodus 33:7-11. In these verses, Moses and Joshua are in the Tent of Meeting. That’s, basically, where Moses would go and spend time with God while leading the people before they left Sinai. Then, Joshua lingers in the tent while Moses goes back to the Israelite camp. 

There’s my tension between lingering and moving, and the different responses to that tension stand out to me. Joshua remains in formation for his upcoming role as leader, so Joshua’s time for service is yet to come. However, Moses has some important things to do right now. Still, Moses takes his time with God before performing his service.

Well, there I go. That looks like a pretty solid confirmation to me. Moses takes his intentional time with God then goes into the service part of his sanctification journey with God. Moses receives the provision, comfort, and guidance necessary to perform his service then goes with God. 

As a result, Ordinary Time shows me its theme of “going with God” even as the season ends. You and I have traveled through all of Ordinary Time to learn that God is with us, so we can go with Him. Now, the time has come for gratitude about all those moments of being with God and to move into the service parts of our sanctification journeys. In other words, we still go with God into whatever else He has planned for us. 

Story Time

You know that I’m going to offer one more moment to linger in God’s presence though. Here’s a little story about moving with God. Whether you move from a season that you wished would last longer or you’re just ready to move on, I pray that God uses my story for your sanctification journey with Him. Let’s go with God, y’all. 

November’s Story: “Darlene & William’s Tale”