Finding inspiration in the mundane | Episode 432 | The gospel of Luke

Stephanie invites you to taste the spices of the gospel today in a live teaching recorded at a women's event about Luke 12-16. It feels a little like traditional Bible Study, with a live audience and all the sounds that accompany it (Bible pages bristling, anyone?).

Listen here: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/54345/link/ 

Reminder | Stephanie would be delighted to join YOU at your next church event! Consider booking her by contacting her ([email protected]) or by filling out the form here:https://www.gospelspice.com/contact 

Most of our lives are not lived in extremes. We aren’t always celebrating big achievements or processing deep suffering—most days are full of routines, responsibilities, and ordinary moments. So, how do we encounter Christ in those “in-between” places?

We often look forward to spiritual mountaintop experiences—big moments with God, career achievements, celebrations, breakthroughs, or retreats that leave us feeling invigorated. We also know the pain of life’s valleys—loss, disappointment, or suffering that drives us to cling to God. However, most of us spend the majority of our days “in the middle”—the ordinary routines, daily grind, or times when nothing extraordinary is happening. This is where God invites us to grow and walk with Him, even (and especially) when life feels mundane.

Social media often pulls our attention toward other people’s mountaintops or valleys, leading us to compare our “middle” to their highlights or low points. Stephanie warns against this, reminding us that our worth and spiritual progress are not measured by comparison, but by our faithful walk with God in our unique journey. She encourages us to focus on encouragement and honesty with each other rather than comparison.

Stephanie explores Luke 12, where Jesus highlights what not to do in the middle ground: don’t be overcome by the fear of death, don’t measure success by worldly standards (the parable of the rich fool), don’t let anxiety choke your faith, don’t forget the eternal hope of Christ’s return, and don’t compromise truth for comfort and false peace. The middle ground is where choices are made about what truly matters and whom we trust.

So, how can we live well in the middle ground? Two words stand out: faith and commitment. Even “mustard seed” faith can move obstacles and make the path smoother. Commitment is the “narrow way”—an ongoing, lifelong journey after stepping through the narrow gate (salvation). Following Jesus is not a one-time event but a continuous walk, marked by sacrifices, humility, and perseverance.

Living in the middle ground requires humility, faithfulness, and sometimes costly choices—just as the father in the story of the prodigal son bears the greatest cost out of love. Genuine Christian life prioritizes humility and sacrificial love, embracing God’s slow work of transformation, even when it isn’t instantly gratifying.

Life in the middle ground is a prayer for God to level our paths:

Psalm 26:12 - My foot stands on level ground; I will praise the Lord in the assemblies.

Psalm 143:10 - Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.

Isaiah 40:4 - Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain.

Isaiah 42:16 - I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.

Persevere today, dear friend. It’s another day in the middle ground, and we’re on our way to the mountaintop.

Reflection:
How can you intentionally seek God’s presence in your “middle ground” this week? What step of faith or act of commitment can you take today, regardless of how ordinary your circumstances feel?