The ordinary drift of a day can be both comforting and a source of frustration. God loves to meet us in the ordinary calling us to extraordinary living.
Think of these few examples:
- Gideon threshing wheat
“Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”
Judges 6:11-12
- Amos was farming
“But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees.”
Amos 7:14
- Saul was on a business trip
“As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 9:4
- Peter and Andrew were fishing
“Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers. They were Simon (his other name was Peter) and Andrew, his brother. They were putting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!”
Matthew 4: 18-19
- David was taking care of a small flock of sheep
“Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him…” He sent and brought him in… The Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”
I Samuel 16: 11-12
I’m sure by now you see the rhythm of ordinary people living ordinary lives. There were peasant girls, carpenters, government workers, prison guards, tent makers, businesswomen, soldiers and many others. Ordinary until God stepped into their lives.
Out of the Ordinary
One moment a person can be doing what they have always done, then with one touch of the Master their lives are changed and transformed forever…
a shepherd becomes king
farmers are given prophetic voice to the nations
beggars leap into positions of strength
broken made whole
weak made strong.
Daily, even moment by moment, such transformation still continues in nations everywhere.
“… anyone who belongs to Christ
has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Everyone’s experience is unique to them, yet similar to all!
Set Apart
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done,
but because of his mercy.
He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth
and new life through the Holy Spirit”
Titus 3:5
This newness and transformation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit through the grace of the Lord Jesus. As individuals, we simply respond in cooperation with what He is doing:
- drawing us into devotion to the Lord Jesus and worship of the Father
- realigning thinking with a continual heart of repentance
- disciplined in seeking God’s ways and direction
- expecting suffering that may be ahead
- intentionally pursuing the “call of God” upon their lives
- generously committing oneself for the sake of others re-presenting the heart of Christ
- sharing faith with an attitude of gratitude
Common Made Holy
It is amazing to think that the charcoal in the pencil we write with, coal used for fuel and diamonds are made out of the same basic elements. If I were to offer you a new package of pencils, a load of coal or a bag of diamonds, which would you choose?
Unanimous! The diamonds would be the choice.
For a diamond to have its full value, it must endure extreme heat and pressure. Then a skilled workman cuts and shapes it to reflect the light perfectly.
In the same way, ordinary lives reflect the Father when Holy Spirit works through pressures of responsibility, the heat of His continuous Presence, cutting away all that doesn’t belong in our lives. Finally like that diamond, we begin to magnify the presence of His Light to the world around us!
Common vessels transformed into ones of His choosing! Shine! Be ready to step into the Light!
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