When God Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary

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I go to that store often.  Additionally, I wear that shirt regularly. Also, I speak to strangers politely as a rule.  But this one time when all three of those came together, God was at work.  At times God turns our ordinary extraordinary.

The First Ordinary

Mark and I became Facebook friends without knowing each other personally.  He was a bi-vocational pastor in Jacksonville, Florida.  He and his wife were members at the church I pastor years ago when God called him to preach.

Just a few months ago, Marks primary job relocated him back to the Middle Georgia area, and I invited him to church. One Sunday he and his wife came to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.  Ordinary people returning to an ordinary church.

I told Mark I would pray for him and help him find a new ministry any way I could.  I could not have imagined how God would use me to do that.

The Second Ordinary

I had been to visit a church member who was in an assisted living facility, something I ordinarily do.  As is ordinary when I plan to visit such facilities, I wore a shirt bearing our church logo.

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Living On Purpose

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Word for the day: INTENTIONALITY.

I am afraid most of us go through the moments of our days without stopping to realize the opportunities placed before us. We endure our jobs merely for the paycheck we receive. We attend school for the education we receive. We live in a neighborhood because of the benefits we receive from living there. We associate with certain friends because of the camaraderie we receive from their company.

What would happen, however, if we began to view the moments of our days in terms of what we can give rather than receive? What if we began to live out what we read in the writings of Paul?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. –1 Corinthians 10:31

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

What if we lived in such a way that others could say about us what was written of Hezekiah?

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. – 2 Chronicles 31:20-21

How would it change our lives if we lived to make Paul’s admonition in Colossians 1:18 a reality?

And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.

  • Would it change what matters in our church preferences if we really sought the preeminence of Christ?
  • Would it change our approach to our jobs if we realized Christ strategically placed us there so He could use us for HIS purposes?
  • How different would our parenting be if we recognized that Jesus blessed us with our children so HE could use us to shape the next generation of godly leaders?
  • What of our behavior at the shopping venues and the ballpark?
  • Would we behave differently toward our neighbors if we understood God placed us in our home to be salt and light to those around us?

Will you take the challenge to change your life paradigm from an accidental and coincidental life to a life of INTENTIONALITY? Ask yourself – why does God have me here and how can God use me here?

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16