Strong spirits: ordinary
When Jesus is in ordinary us, we can do the extraordinary.
If someone were listing your attributes and characteristics, would they mention "ordinary"? And if they did, would you be offended?
You shouldn't be! We are all pretty ordinary people. We each have our unique skills and gifts. There are things that you can do that I cannot. There are lots of people who are head and shoulders above me in terms of skills and abilities. I'm ordinary. So are they. So are you.
But here's the good news: Jesus is looking for ordinary folks like us to be his disciples. His original disciples were ordinary, too- fishermen, tax collectors, workers- ordinary folk. No famous names. No high profile figures. Why?
Because it is not our talents and skills that matter most to Jesus. He can use them. But what he wants most is for us to be fully surrendered to him. He wants to fill us with himself, via the Holy Spirit. When he does, we too will be equipped to do the amazing work that Jesus and eventually his disciples did. Jesus is extraordinary! No one like him ever before or ever again. And when he is in ordinary us, we become able to do the extraordinary work he calls us to do.
To be balanced here, David tells us that God made us "a little lower than Himself, and crowned us with glory and honor." (Psalm 8:5) What an honor! It could make me proud. Until I remember I'm ordinary...
I encourage you to ask our extraordinary God to fill your ordinary self with his life and Spirit. Then you will be able to be and do all he intends.
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
