Ordinary to Extraordinary!

 

For most of us, the thought would never cross our mind, “Today I am going to do something extraordinary.” Instead, we go about our normal routines from the moment we wake up in the morning, with maybe a couple of variations throughout the day. But, for the most part, life remains predictable, or so we think…

What we may not even realize is that our life makes a difference! As we interact with others and go about our normal routine, whatever that may be, we are touching other’s in the process. In our ordinary way, we have the opportunity to make an extraordinary difference.

I can’t help but wonder, did those who stood out in history realize at the time that they were making a difference? Or, did they simply live their life in the routine of their journey, grabbing each opportunity God gave them in extraordinary ways?

Did that barefoot little fella in Knob Creek, Kentucky ever think that someday he would be the 16th President of the United States?

What about the young boy out in the field tending his sheep; did he have any idea that he would someday be a King? When David looked up at the stars late at night, did he consider something so extraordinary was going to happen?

How about the woman who was busy going about her day raising her 19 children; did Susanna have an inkling that two of those little guys would be the catalyst for the Methodist movement? John Wesley (evangelist and theologian) and Charles Wesley (great song writer of over 6500 hymns;) both men walked the path God opened for their lives because their mother lived a daily example of an ordinary life becoming extraordinary when placed in the hands of a mighty God.

What is it in those lives of the past that took them from ordinary to extraordinary? Be it the little shepherd made King, or the barefoot boy elected President, or the mother of 19 elevating her children to start a Methodist Movement: what is it that made their lives unique? Could it be that they realized how important it was to grab each of the opportunities God placed in front of them, to essentially do everything God wanted them to do in life, no matter how insignificant it might seem at the time?

Let’s go back to a point in scripture where Paul, in Acts 13:22 describes what occurs after Saul is removed as King and David, the shepherd boy, is taking the throne.

‘“I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will do everything I want him to do.”’

Have you ever wondered why God has described David to be a man after His own heart? Clearly, this is of the utmost importance to God. Then He follows-up with these words, “he will do everything I want him to do.”

The same should be true for us. When God places opportunities in front of us, no matter how large, or how small, He wants us to grasp them and to do them. Why was David a man after God’s own heart? He did “everything” God wanted “him to do.”

The exciting part in doing this is that the outcome is in God’s hands, not ours. Maybe that’s how the ordinary becomes the extraordinary…when by faith we simply do what He calls us to do!

I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for Your instructions are written on my heart.
Psalm 40:8 NLT