8.2 - The Power of Daily Moments: Finding Clarity and Energy in Everyday Actions
Living in “Day-Tight Compartments”
There's a Mary Engelbreit cartoon that says, "Life is just so DAILY.” There are days, like today, I would rather do anything else than sit here writing. There are days when I skip meditation. Days when I'm not sure I understand anything about this at all.
It's like the days you don't want to go to the gym, but you do it anyway. If I think about anything I must do daily for the rest of my life, I get overwhelmed and want to quit. It helps me remember that we will never arrive when discussing fitness or spiritual maturity. It’s a life-long, day-by-day journey. My friend and business mentor, Clint Day, always urged me to live in “day-tight compartments.” (Maybe he'll expand on it in the comments section if he sees this.)
The Power of Daily Moments
Recognizing that life is a continuous series of “day-tight compartments” filled with unique activities can catalyze personal growth and fulfillment. By viewing life as a collection of daily moments, we shift our focus from distant goals to present actions.
In Atomic Habits, James Clear explained, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Clint understands this; Jesus taught and demonstrated this truth by teaching in the temple the day after he had been rejected. That was yesterday, and yesterday's gone. He was living out his life in "daily moments.”Each day presents opportunities to acknowledge progress, no matter how minor. These small wins accumulate over time, leading to significant personal growth and self-improvement. Remember, the small, consistent actions create a meaningful and enriching life—what Jesus called an abundant life. It's as simple as each day: "You do you, I do me, as Jesus did Jesus.
Learning from Jesus’ Daily Life
Let's look at what Jesus did on seven of the days of his life:
He saves the bride's father from embarrassment at a wedding in Cana.
He saves people experiencing poverty from being fleeced by the money changers at the temple.
One night, he takes a late meeting with a high-ranking Pharisee and treats him like a brother, not a rival.
One day, on the road, He meets a woman at a well and treats her like a sister, not an enemy.
On another day, he acts compassionately and does a favor for a Roman official.
Another day, he gives food to hungry people, a lot of hungry people.
When human nature wants to condemn and punish a woman, he graciously removes the labels and wishes her well.
Daily moments. Jesus did not go looking for any of the above situations. They found him. He responded to the situation before him as he went about his daily life. And remember, this man grabbed a few fishermen and other ordinary people (like you and me) and urged them to do the same. Jesus said, in my words, ” Follow me, do as I do, become as I am, and you will experience a vibrant life—unfolding day by day.”
Translating Jesus' Actions to Modern Life
If you would like an interesting exercise, translate the seven incidents I mentioned from Jesus’ life into circumstances that could happen today. For example, you might encounter a homeless person and give them money without concern for what they might spend it on, removing the "homeless" label and thinking of him as a brother or her as a sister.
Let's watch what Jesus does in today’s segment. But first, don’t imagine Jesus standing and pointing fingers. Instead, see him sitting down with the others and exploring these topics with a laptop or a flip chart like today. He’s not trying to defend himself but carefully explaining to them how to operate from two different consciousnesses. Jesus is the most gifted and compassionate teacher ever, and he wanted them, or at least some, to comprehend - even after yesterday’s rejection. That was yesterday; this is today!
The Light of the World and Living Water
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Jesus unveils the second of his earthly campaign’s two great slogans. Earlier, it was "water for the thirsty." Now, he offers "light for the darkness." Unless I spend some time and give them some thought, these power-packed promises will remain meaningless metaphors.
I've never been thirsty. I am seldom without light. Karen and I sleep with a glass of water by the bed and the glow of a night light from the cracked bathroom door.
But not so Jesus’ audience. Theirs was a light/dark culture, and when it was dark, it was very dark. Think of the first few seconds after a nighttime power outage. “Now, where did I put that flashlight?" "Karen, where did you say those candles were?” “Owwwww, who put that table there?”
Light is everywhere except for those infrequent occasions, so “light of the world” doesn’t hit home. The Message translation says, “I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” But even that lacks its original punch.
“To read one gospel intensely is an experience that forces you to think deeply and freshly about people and events with which you have been so familiar that you may have come to take them for granted.”
Making Jesus' Teachings Personal
With that in mind, let's take a deep, fresh look at these two promises and make them personal. Instead of thirsty, let's say sluggish, and instead of walking in darkness, let's say clueless. I have certainly been sluggish on occasion and, many times, clueless. What if someone stood up and said, "Let anyone sluggish come to me, believe in me, and be refreshed? ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow streams of living energy.’" And added, “I am the guide of the world. Whoever follows me will never be clueless but have life's answers.” Put that way, I would be very interested. Wouldn't you? I may not subscribe, but I would at least order the sample. Think about it.
The Choice to Seek Clarity and Energy
This brings me to a three-way stop where I must choose. I can either focus on the more traditional, poetic nature of Jesus’s sayings like "light of the world" and "rivers of living water" or walk away as most of the crowd did. Alternatively, I can interpret his promises as offering "clarity on my path" and "energy in my life" and lean in for a deeper understanding—clarity, not cluelessness. Energized, not sluggish.
This promise catches my attention! Who wouldn't call the 800 number or click the “learn more” button? Shouldn't I do everything possible to discover what to do to have this clarity and energy? These are not external gifts but internal—living water and the light of life—within me. It's not an eight-hour energy drink from the outside or a lamp that gives light in a particular location. It’s an internal light shining through my eyes to clarify my purpose and an endless internal vitality to fuel my “raison de vivre,” my reason for living: Clarity and Energy. Tell me more. Tell me more!
Believing and Following: The Intertwined Path
Then we hit the fine print with the condition: "Whoever believes in me and follows me.” During my lifetime, the marketers of Christianity have shortened that to "whoever believes in me," spinning it to mean “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and go to heaven when you die. In the meantime, try not to say bad words or kill anybody.” I may get a momentary burst of energy or a temporary flash of light, but that falls short if I seek clarity and energy for this lifetime. Jesus promised living water that reproduces itself, plus the light of life for this life. In other words, self-generating energy and endless clarity.
Back to the fine print: “Believe in and follow me.” But which comes first? Do I believe and then follow, or follow and then believe? It doesn't matter. As the saying goes, "If you can't think your way into a new way of acting, act your way into a new way of thinking.” The order is not essential, but the combination is. Just like a recipe, it doesn't matter if you add the onion, then garlic, or garlic, then onion, but you have to add them both.
The whole point of believing and following is to learn to think like he did, do what he did, and become as he was. But to be clear, It is not to relive his life but to live my life as he would. Isn't that impossible? Is it? If it is, then why did he promise?
Practical Steps to Live Like Jesus
Here's how I see it. Jesus responded to the situations before him, and I can learn from his examples and do the same, responding to my situations as I imagine he would. He promised clarity to know what to do and the energy to do it. John gave beautiful examples cited earlier.
Jesus learned to consider each person a brother or sister and treat them accordingly—without judgment or labels. This mindset caused him to step in to protect those who were poor and powerless and give food to those who were hungry. Whether above or below him in status, Jesus met each person as an equal and tried to enhance their life. Can I do the same? Yes, but the real question is, will I do the same?
The Importance of Solitude and Reflection
What's the first step? Jesus demonstrated it by pulling away from the crowd and contemplating silently. I should do the same, thinking of those I know (maybe those I ran into yesterday), removing any labels, and imagining how to treat them like brothers or sisters (or sons and daughters) —in ways that might enhance their lives. Then, I move from my imagination to my daily life and watch for opportunities that cross my path. John wanted to show me that's what Jesus did.
"When you find a sense of purpose in what you do,” says Adam Grant in Hidden Potential, “you unleash a source of energy that's hard to rival.
To put words in Jesus’ mouth, he said, “I am a living demonstration of living from spiritual consciousness. He who follows me (and learns to do as I do) will also have the light turned on and be able to see the next steps.” The clarity and energy become self-evident as I follow the guidance of the voice of my silence.
Why did John not spell it out in a three-step formula for me? Because I need to work through it until I find the answer within myself. He wants me to listen to what Jesus said and did not say, watch what Jesus did and what he could have done but chose not to. Then, I take any confusion into my solitude and turn it over and over until the answer becomes clear, like the word or phrase in the old Magic 8 Ball.
Seeking Wholeness Through Daily Clarity and Energy
Imagine waking up each day with clarity about who you are and what you need to do and having the energy to do it. That sounds like wholeness, which is what our soul sincerely seeks. The human nature in us seeks security; the soul seeks wholeness. We know this at some level - the deep, still, silent level.
Why not try it for 14 days? You can always get your money back.;) Just kidding. But seriously, Jesus gave his followers a trial period, asking them to "follow me" and then later, saying, “If you'd like to leave, feel free to go.”
Key Takeaways:
Jesus demonstrated the importance of responding to daily situations with compassion and clarity, providing a model for living a meaningful life.
Life is a series of daily actions and habits; living in day-tight compartments helps focus us on these present actions.
Jesus’ teachings about being the light and water of life can be interpreted as internal clarity and energy, essential for a vibrant life and leading to wholeness.
Finding purpose in daily actions unleashes a unique energy that drives consistent progress and fulfillment.
