Do you compartmentalize your life?

It’s Sunday morning, and there is a decision to be made. Will you go to church this morning? You decide to go to church. After all, you love God and you know going to church is the spiritual thing to do. The church service is good. You find yourself singing songs that lift your spirits.

The message from the pastor touches on some issues that cause you to think about your priorities. It’s a challenging message, something to consider when you have more time to think about it.

After the service is over, you say your goodbyes to some of the people you know from the congregation and make your way to your car. The rest of the day consists of relaxing activities like watching football, going for a bike ride, taking in a sunset, or finishing the evening at a local restaurant.

After a good night's sleep, you are rudely awakened by your alarm.

If Sunday was the Lord’s day, this is some other kind of day, at least in your mind. You listen to your favorite radio station on the way to work. If it’s the news, you might be a little on edge by the time you get to work. If it’s your favorite music, you might be doing a little jig as you make your way into your place of employment.

You had just enough time to read a couple of verses in the Bible and say a quick prayer before leaving for work. By lunchtime, what happened on Sunday is a distant memory. That was spiritual, but this is the real world.

Monday turns into Tuesday, and the week rolls on just like it did the week before and the weeks before that. Sundays are the Lord’s day, but all the other days have a different feel.

Therein lies the problem. In fact, therein lies the lie.

Being in a spiritual atmosphere makes you feel spiritual, but when you are no longer in those environments, you feel unspiritual. Here is what you need to know. The Holy Spirit doesn’t abandon you at work or on a Monday or any other day of the week.

Being in a secular environment shouldn’t make you feel less spiritual. In fact, it should make you more aware of who you are in Christ. You can still do your job and be spiritual at the same time. You can play after work and still be spiritual.

There is no such thing as a secular divide. To be a follower of Jesus is a 24/7 experience, not just a Sunday experience. Therefore, every day is the Lord's day.

But is it, or do you compartmentalize your life without realizing it?

Jesus called his followers to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. He didn’t say you can turn off the light when you leave church or be less salty when at work or on vacation.

I pray that you will take my words to heart and make a decision to become a 24/7 follower of Jesus. Our world needs more 24/7ers!

Stay close to Jesus,

Steve