Living Out God’s Love in Everyday Moments
Have you ever found yourself struggling to serve someone you love because the task felt mundane, frustrating, or downright unappealing? Maybe it’s doing the dishes, folding laundry, or sitting through a conversation you don’t feel equipped for. It’s not that you don’t love the person, but the effort required feels like too much. What if those everyday moments were precisely where God wanted to show you how to live in His strength, not yours?
This question reminded me of an illustration shared by the late Dr. Bill Gillham, a beloved teacher of the exchanged life. Bill’s example of mowing the lawn and bagging grass clippings for his wife, Anabel, perfectly demonstrates how we can rely on Christ to love others through us, even in the smallest details of life.
The Grass Clippings That Taught a Life-Changing Truth
Bill would often recount how mowing the lawn wasn’t exactly his favorite chore. On top of that, bagging the grass clippings afterward? Even worse. But his wife, Anabel, appreciated having the lawn neat and tidy, and bagging the clippings was important to her. It wasn’t about being practical or cutting corners; it was about showing care and consideration.
At first, Bill approached the task with the mindset many of us might have: “Fine, I’ll do it, but I’m not happy about it.”But over time, he noticed something. His efforts, born out of obligation, didn’t carry the joy or love he wanted to show his wife. The harder he tried to muster up a good attitude on his own, the more frustrated he became.
Then, as Bill learned about the exchanged life, he realized something that changed everything. He didn’t need to rely on his own strength—or even his own emotions—to complete the task. He could trust Christ, who lived in him, to provide the love, patience, and willingness that he lacked. Bagging the grass clippings became an opportunity to depend on Christ’s life within him, not his own limited resources.
Instead of forcing himself to “feel loving” or “try harder,” Bill would surrender the task to God and say, “Lord, I can’t do this with a loving heart, but You can. Express Your love for Anabel through me.” And as he yielded to Christ, what was once a dreaded chore became an act of worship—a way to love his wife through the strength of the One who loves perfectly.
The Biblical Principles Behind the Illustration
Bill’s story is a beautiful example of living out the exchanged life, a concept rooted in Scripture. Here are some key biblical truths that frame this illustration:
1. Recognizing Christ as the Source of Love
John 15:5 reminds us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Bill recognized that his natural inclination—his “flesh”—wasn’t capable of bearing the fruit of love. But Christ, as the vine, provides the nourishment and life that flow through us to others.
2. Yielding to God in Every Moment
Romans 12:1 calls us to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
By surrendering even the small act of bagging grass clippings, Bill turned an ordinary task into an opportunity for worship. His sacrifice wasn’t the task itself but his willingness to let Christ work through him.
3. Walking by Faith, Not Feelings
Galatians 2:20 declares, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Bill didn’t rely on his feelings to motivate him. Instead, he acted in faith, trusting that Christ would live through him, and in doing so, his emotions followed.
4. Serving Others Through Christ’s Strength
Philippians 4:13 assures us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Bagging grass clippings became more than just a chore; it became an expression of Christ’s life in Bill, enabling him to serve his wife with love, joy, and grace.
Applying This Truth to Your Life
Bill’s story is relatable because we all have “grass clippings” in our lives—tasks or responsibilities we find difficult to approach with the right heart. It could be caring for a loved one, responding graciously to a difficult coworker, or simply doing something that feels beneath us. Here’s how you can apply the principles of the exchanged life to those moments:
Acknowledge Your Limitations
Admit to God that you can’t handle the situation in your own strength. This isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Surrender the Task to God
Pray something like, “Lord, I can’t do this with the right heart, but You can. Live Your life through me in this moment.” Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up; it means yielding control to Christ.Act in Faith
Even if you don’t “feel” like it, take the next step, trusting that God will work through you. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”Reflect on Christ’s Work in You
After completing the task, take a moment to thank God for how He enabled you to serve with His love and strength. This reinforces your dependence on Him and builds your faith for the future.
A New Perspective on the Everyday
Bill’s story is a reminder that the abundant life Christ offers isn’t just about the big, dramatic moments of faith—it’s about letting Him transform the ordinary. When we stop relying on our own strength and start trusting Christ as our source, even bagging grass clippings can become an act of worship, a display of love, and a testimony of God’s grace.
So the next time you face one of your “grass clippings” moments, pause. Surrender it to Christ. And watch as He turns even the smallest acts into something beautiful for His glory.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:17