Winning Monday

“Win Monday, win the week!” That’s our motto heading into this first day of February. My wife and I have been trying to adjust to the pace of this new semester, and honestly, it’s been a challenge. Between all the various practices (baseball, soccer, band, etc.), extra work meetings and such, along with our normal responsibilities around the house, it has been pretty hectic, particularly on Mondays. Additionally, we know that our busyness will only increase as the weather warms, so starting weeks off on solid footing will be imperative.

Heading into this week, we made some tangible plans – from having an easy breakfast option available that would allow us to maximize on sleep, to planning out dinner, to coordinating childcare and transportation, we implemented a thorough strategy to position us for victory today. Yet, it will be none of the ingredients found within our itinerary that will ultimately lead us to success. No, to win this week (and really every week), we must realize what’s already been won for us.

The secret weapon isn’t found in having a strong start; it’s not about having a ‘Terrific Tuesday’, a ‘Wonderful Wednesday’, or any other campy slogan we can muster. Rather, it is about seeing our lives in light of what our Savior has already accomplished on our behalf. Through His cross we discover that we possess a completely new and different identity – not a polished, refurbished version of us, but that we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We’ve been buried with Jesus and have died to our old ways (Romans 6:4). In Him we experience not only a new beginning, but also our new role as His co-heirs (Romans 8:17). The riches of God’s glorious inheritance are now mine; for you who are hidden in Christ, they are yours as well (Ephesians 1:18-19, Colossians 3:1-3)! Remembering the One who purchased us with His blood is fundamental to finding peace, purpose, and genuine satisfaction. Truly winning would be impossible without this understanding.

Here is what I mean. Without the gospel clarity of considering the forgiveness and newness we’ve received through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we will all drift toward seeking success elsewhere. We will rate each week upon how many things we checked-off our to-do list. We will high five our spouse for getting to bed earlier, for working out more often, or for eating a bit healthier. Don’t get me wrong. If a week can include all those things, it is a week worth celebrating. However, one can experience all of these things and yet miss the fullness of what each of these goals were intended to bring. Is there not more to our vocation than simply accomplishing tasks? Is real rest merely found in an amount of hours slept?

For the believer, each of life’s activities in meant to glorify God (Colossians 3:17). Our jobs, our relationships, our conversations, our recreation – even our thoughts along the way – each are intended to magnify the One who calls us His own. In His presence there is joy; at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). So having a plan is important, but ultimately, not solely for our own good (Proverbs 16:9). We want to be rested and well prepared; we desire to have margin and space in our lives for others; we long for a healthy rhythm. Yet we pursue these patterns so that He might be made known through the things that we do. For when these good things of structure and rhythm are absent from our lives, the eyes of our hearts turn from King Jesus and the opportunities He’s granted us. We become self-centered and even more self-absorbed with our own agendas. We toil in hope that we might be affirmed by others, validated by the things we can do or say. In this exhausting, yet never to be exhausted work, we grow tired, weary, and give our worn-out, leftover best in a meager attempt to survive.

All the while the Spirit whispers to our souls Jesus’ precious words, “I have come that you might have life, abundant and full. Come to Me, for My yoke is easy. My burden is light” (John 10:10, Matthew 11:28-30). We were meant to live for more; we have been created in Christ to accomplish good works prepared for us beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). So at the end of the day, success is found in whether we believe this or not. If Jesus is who He says He, if He has done what Scripture claims He’s accomplished, if we have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), then why can’t this week be won? Why can’t life be lived for more? Are we really ill prepared? Do we truly need more time? More skills? More resources? We really gotta do more? Or do we simply need to look again, through the glorious lens of the gospel? Answer rightly and we’ll be well on our way to winning Monday.

Matt Fowler
Associate Pastor of Missions & Students
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler